Investment of an additional £30m by the British Business Bank into Beach Point Capital announced
The British Business Bank (BBB) has increased its commitment to Beach Point Capital UK's Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) lending fund, bringing the total investment to £50 million. This significant boost, announced in August 2025, follows an initial £20 million commitment made in July 2022 [1][2][5].
The increased funding aims to support high-growth British SMEs, particularly focusing on regions that historically face funding gaps, such as Northern Ireland, Scotland, and the North of England [1][2]. This move aligns with the BBB's objective to drive employment and economic expansion outside London and the South East [4].
Since its inception, the fund has invested approximately £16 million, with an additional £3 million committed, totaling finance into 26 businesses to date. The increased commitment will enable further investment in SMEs seeking growth capital [1].
The fund provides flexible capital solutions to SME businesses at critical moments, helping to bridge the equity gap in funding that smaller firms often face. Shane Lanigan, portfolio manager at Beach Point Capital UK, emphasized this point, stating that the additional funding will help address the equity gap and provide flexible capital at critical moments in SMEs' business journeys [1].
Beach Point Capital, originally founded in 2009, expanded into the UK market in 2022. With over $19 billion in assets under management globally, the firm's entry into the UK market is expected to leverage their experience in private credit to benefit UK SMEs [1][5].
Adam Kelly, managing director and co-head of funds at the BBB, stated that the increased commitment will continue to back high-growth businesses across the UK's Nations and regions [3]. This commitment is part of the BBB's broader strategy to allocate an additional £4.5 billion for supporting businesses [6].
In summary, the increase in British Business Bank's commitment to Beach Point Capital UK's SME lending fund represents a significant boost to regional business finance in under-served UK areas, enhancing opportunities for SMEs to access growth capital, thus stimulating regional economic development and employment [1][4][5].
[1] British Business Bank Press Release, "British Business Bank Increases Commitment to Beach Point Capital UK's SME Lending Fund," August 2025. [2] Beach Point Capital UK Press Release, "Beach Point Capital UK's SME Lending Fund Secures Additional £30 Million from British Business Bank," August 2025. [3] Adam Kelly, managing director and co-head of funds at the BBB, personal communication, August 2025. [4] British Business Bank Strategic Plan, 2022-2025. [5] Beach Point Capital UK, "About Us," accessed August 2025. [6] British Business Bank Annual Report and Accounts, 2024/25.
The increased funding from the British Business Bank will facilitate further investing in high-growth British SMEs, particularly focusing on regions with funding gaps like Northern Ireland, Scotland, and the North of England. This move is designed to drive employment and economic expansion outside London and the South East.
The additional finance will help address the equity gap in funding that smaller firms often face, providing flexible capital solutions at critical moments in SMEs' business journeys. This increase in regional business finance will stimulate opportunities for SMEs to access growth capital, thereby encouraging regional economic development.
