UK Export Finance has announced a new partnership with Finance for Forces to help more veteran-led businesses access the finance they need to grow internationally, as part of a wider effort to strengthen export opportunities and support business growth among former service personnel.
This initiative is designed to address one of the most persistent constraints facing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that is access to appropriate and timely finance.
According to Chris Bryant, Minister of State for Trade, “veterans have shown extraordinary bravery and dedication in service to the nation, and their skills should be matched by real commercial opportunity.”
“This partnership will help turn entrepreneurial ambition into export success, helping veteran-led businesses reach international markets with the backing and confidence they deserve.”
Chris Bryant
For many veteran entrepreneurs, transitioning from military service into business presents both opportunity and complexity, particularly when navigating commercial lending, risk management, and export financing structures.
The partnership seeks to bridge this gap by combining institutional financial support with targeted advisory services, ensuring businesses are equipped not only with capital but also with the knowledge required to deploy it effectively.
Finance for Forces is known for connecting members of the Armed Forces community with commercial finance providers. Under the new arrangement, this specialist knowledge will be integrated with UKEF’s suite of export finance tools, creating a more streamlined pathway for veteran-led firms looking to expand internationally and compete in increasingly complex global markets.
At the operational level, the collaboration introduces a structured referral mechanism between the two organisations. Finance for Forces will direct eligible clients to UKEF’s short-term export support products, including working capital guarantees, bond support guarantees, and export insurance policies.
These instruments are designed to help businesses secure contracts, manage payment risks, and maintain liquidity when entering or scaling in overseas markets, particularly in jurisdictions where commercial risk may otherwise deter expansion.
Conversely, UKEF will refer veteran-led businesses within its existing network to Finance for Forces where more tailored financial guidance is required. This reciprocal framework is intended to ensure that firms are not only able to access funding, but also receive strategic support in structuring deals, understanding risk exposure, and building sustainable export models over the long term.
In addition to financial mechanisms, the partnership will deliver joint outreach initiatives, including information sessions, workshops, and networking events. These activities aim to improve awareness of export finance options, enhance financial literacy among veteran entrepreneurs, and build stronger connections between businesses, lenders, and government institutions.
Over time, this is expected to contribute to a more resilient and export-oriented veteran business ecosystem, capable of scaling across sectors and geographies.
Veterans Strategy and Economic Impact Drive Initiative
The partnership also aligns closely with UK government’s broader economic and social policy objectives, particularly the UK Veterans Strategy 2025, which recognises veterans as valuable contributors to national prosperity and security.
By improving access to finance and enabling international expansion, the initiative directly supports the strategy’s aim of harnessing veterans’ enterprise capabilities.
According to the government, veteran-led businesses bring a unique combination of leadership, discipline, and problem-solving skills, making them well-positioned to succeed in competitive global markets while also contributing to innovation and job creation within the domestic economy.
Paul Goodman, Co-Founder of Finance for Forces, stated that, “Veterans bring leadership, resilience and a mission focus to business but navigating commercial finance can be challenging,” adding that, “this partnership with UKEF will help veteran-led firms understand their options and access the backing they need to develop exports and accelerate growth.”
The announcement also highlights a broader push by UKEF to expand its reach across the UK’s SME landscape. The agency has increasingly focused on improving accessibility, reducing response times, and tailoring support to businesses that may have previously been underserved by traditional finance channels. This includes simplifying application processes and ensuring that smaller firms can engage with export finance products without excessive administrative burden.
Tim Reid, CEO of UK Export Finance, added that, supporting small businesses to export and grow is central to UKEF’s mission.
“ By partnering with Finance for Forces, we can reach more veteran-led businesses and help them access the finance they need to win international contracts, enter new markets and scale up with confidence.”
Tim Reid
Moreover, the partnership is anticipated to boost the pipeline of export-ready companies, promote job creation, and support long-term economic growth by fusing public-sector assistance with private-sector experience.
It also represents a broader understanding that focused financial assistance, when paired with advisory services, may be crucial in helping veteran-led businesses reach their full potential in the global market and establish them as a strategic asset in the UK’s export-led economic drive.
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