The economy’s shifting: costs are on the rise, margins are tighter, and regulation’s increasing. For growing businesses, that means bigger hurdles and tougher decisions.
So where do entrepreneurs find confidence when making those business-critical decisions? It’s not just their optimism or a go-getter attitude. The most successful leaders surround themselves with the right partners, those who bring clarity, flexibility, and expertise when it matters most.
At OakNorth, we help ambitious businesses do just that, providing funding and banking tools that scale with your goals. Every business has two sides: keeping day-to-day operations running smoothly and making strategic moves for the future. In uncertain times, both matter more than ever.
And, we’re proud to work alongside experts like Ryan, a global tax services and software firm helping companies unlock value through R&D tax relief, incentives, and compliance. Together, we help SMEs pair financial agility with clarity, so you can stay resilient, whatever the market brings.
Financial agility: more than just access to credit
When markets shift, it’s not just about how much funding you can access, it’s about how easily you can move and manage it. Resilience depends on having flexible lending and modern business banking that work hand in hand.
- Tailored lending gives you the breathing room to invest, pivot, or seize new opportunities, whether that’s developing new products, expanding your team, or scaling operations.
- Our smart business banking helps you stay on top of cash flow, payments, and liquidity in real time, supported by:
- fast account opening so you can get up and running in days, not weeks
- a dedicated Business Partner who understands your goals
- banking solutions tailored to your business needs
Together, these create the kind of financial agility that lets you make decisions quickly and act with purpose, even when the outlook is uncertain.
Clarity in incentives and compliance: unlocking value and avoiding pitfalls
Agility only works when it’s paired with clarity. That means understanding how incentives, reliefs, and compliance rules affect your growth plans, and using them to your advantage.
That’s where Ryan comes in. Their team specialises in helping businesses get the most from innovation funding and tax relief, covering:
- R&D tax relief under the UK’s evolving schemes
- Grant funding, capital allowances, the Patent Box, and energy or land remediation reliefs
- A practical “Assess, Advise, Transform” approach to help businesses identify opportunities, stay compliant, and claim with confidence
- Support when dealing with HMRC enquiries, from preparing documentation to managing conversations
With that clarity, businesses can invest in innovation knowing their strategy is sound and their claims are solid.
Practical takeaways for SMEs
- Review your financial toolkit: Do your banking and credit work together to give you flexibility when you need it most?
- Plan for incentives early: Bring tax and funding discussions into the business plan, not after the spend.
- Stay proactive on regulation: The UK’s R&D rules are evolving; understanding them early can save time and money later.
- Lean on trusted experts: Partners who understand both finance and tax strategy can help you act faster and smarter.
You can’t control uncertainty, but you can build upon your confidence levels. When you pair financial agility with strategic clarity, and surround yourself with trusted partners who understand your world, you put your business in the strongest position to grow, no matter what comes next.
Explore how OakNorth’s business banking and lending solutions can give you the flexibility to plan and grow with confidence.
And learn how Ryan’s tax relief services can help you unlock valuable incentives while staying compliant.
