The British Business Bank has appointed Steve Conibear to a new position as senior manager, UK Network for Wales.

The British Business Bank – the government-owned economic development bank dedicated to making finance markets work better for smaller businesses – is establishing a UK Network, with team members based within each of the English regions and the three devolved nations.

The UK Network was originally announced as part of the government’s modern Industrial Strategy in November 2017, with a remit to identify and help to reduce imbalances in access to finance for smaller businesses across the UK.

The UK Network will help the bank develop a deeper understanding of small business finance markets in all parts of the UK so that, ultimately, the bank can improve its support to smaller businesses everywhere.

Steve will represent the UK Network across Wales and will engage closely with business finance stakeholders in the area. He will be supporting Jennifer Donnellan, the recently appointed UK Network director, devolved nations.

Steve Conibear, senior manager, UK Network, said: “I look forward to developing lasting relationships between the British Business Bank and the business finance ecosystem across the whole of Wales to enable smaller businesses to explore the different finance options available to help them secure the finance best suited to their needs.”

The UK Network is part of the British Business Bank’s new Demand Development Unit, which has been specifically created to raise the bank’s profile and relationship with smaller businesses across the UK.