UMi reaches £1 billion investment milestone

A business support firm has reached a “significant milestone” by unlocking more than £1 billion in investment for companies across the UK.

County-Durham based UMi, certified B Corp and employee-owned business support and funding provider, has channelled finance into ambitious start-ups, growing SMEs and established firms since its launch in 2007. 

The funding has included a mix of grants, loans and private investment to help businesses innovate, expand, create jobs and, in some cases, survive.

The North East has felt the biggest impact, with around £800 million invested in over 5000 businesses from Northumberland down to the Tees Valley. 

This has supported the creation of around 44,000 jobs and has backed firms such as Wearside’s TWR Group, which used a £50,000 grant to relocate its entire operation to a new 65,000sq ft facility, as well as Northumberland’s Lant Medical, which secured £500,000 to develop a new non-antibiotic treatment designed to eradicate cancer-causing Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). 

Terry O’Brien, managing director of TWR Group, said: “As a family business which started life not far from our existing location, it has been a real labour of love renovating our new site.

“Opening our new facility marked an exciting milestone for the business, ensuring we can continue to meet the increasing demand we’re seeing for our products. 

“It has also allowed us to create two new jobs, with more to follow, while providing the space required to ensure, as we continue to grow, we have the ability and flexibility to expand our operations.

“It’s key to our future growth plans so it’s a really proud moment for us as both a family and as a business.”

Joanne Lant, founder of Lant Medical, added: “I’m excited by the possibility this treatment could help a lot of people understand what H.Pylori is, get an early test and treat it without antibiotics to drastically reduce side effects. 

“It will contribute to cost-savings and efficiency for the patient and NHS, saving multiple trips to GPs and reducing the number of costly antibiotics prescribed.  

“We are incredibly grateful to Innovate UK for providing grant funding, to our angel investors for their belief and investment, and to UMi for making all this possible. 

“This funding marks a crucial step in our mission to develop a safer, more effective approach to treating H. Pylori and improving global health.” 

Nationally, UMi has worked with more than 680,000 businesses since 2007. 

By simplifying access to finance, the organisation is seen as vital in helping SMEs navigate complex funding markets and secure the backing they need to grow.

The milestone comes as the UK Government launches its Small Business Plan, a package designed to expand access to loans, boost digital adoption and strengthen leadership. 

UMi says its track record of securing investment complements these priorities, helping companies across the UK do more, go further and build long-term resilience.

Pictured, from left, Simon Goon, Julie Cuthbertson, Nicki Clark OBE, Simon Allen and Suzanne McCreedy from UMi celebrate reaching the £1 billion investment milestone

Nicki Clark OBE, chief executive of UMi, added: “This is a fantastic achievement and a significant milestone for UMi as we continue to support businesses up and down the country and across all industries. 

“Our teams do an amazing job working hand in hand with our customers to ensure they access the right funding solutions tailored to their needs. 

“Reaching this milestone underscores our commitment to supporting businesses from the very start of their journey and helping them succeed.

“Since 2007, we have seen so many businesses go on to achieve great things because of the funding they have received. 

“From launching and scaling up to delivering new products, services or driving forward innovation, we’ve witnessed first-hand the incredible impact these small businesses have had (and continue to have), with UMi helping to navigate the funding landscape, driving growth on a local, regional and national level too – it’s great to see.”

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