Portman Finance Group has secured a £10m funding line from Shawbrook’s Speciality Finance team to support its expansion in the UK SME lending market.
The facility will enable Portman to scale up its lending activity, broaden its product range, and increase access to larger and longer-term loans for small and medium-sized businesses.
Founded in 2007 by Alex Read, Portman has evolved from a brokerage into a direct lender, having supported over 20,000 businesses with more than £1.5bn in finance.
The business, now with a team of more than 100, was recently named in the FEBE 2025 Growth 100 list and continues to pursue ambitious growth plans.
Alex Read, founder of Portman, said: “We are delighted to have Shawbrook as a partner as we look to grow and expand our offerings.
“This funding line is crucial for us to achieve our ambitious plans and to assist even more SMEs across the UK.”
Simon Pratt, director at Portman, added: “Chris and the team have in-depth knowledge of this industry and their ability to interpret our long-term objectives and help meet our growth aspirations were key to forging this relationship. We view this partnership as an ongoing growth journey for both parties.”
The facility was arranged with Shawbrook’s structured lending director Chris Clarke, who commented: “Right from the start, Portman’s Board demonstrated they had built a strong, experienced group and their robust systems and data-led approach aligned perfectly with our vision.
“We believe that this funding line is only the start of a long and prosperous relationship, and we are pleased that Shawbrook have also joined the Portman Broker panel which reflects our commitment to this client.”
