SWIG Finance has welcomed Richard Belcher to the Business Lending team as Business Manager for Dorset.
Richard brings a unique and varied career spanning banking, international travel, real estate, and music. He joins SWIG following 13 years as a NatWest Business Manager and has firsthand experience running his own ventures, giving him a deep understanding of both the challenges and opportunities facing small businesses.
Richard Belcher, SWIG Finance Business Manager covering Dorset
Richard’s combined experience as a relationship-lender and founder is central to his new role, which will see him working with Dorset-based business owners to help them secure funding.
“Bank funding isn’t always available when it’s needed,” Richard says. “I’m excited to work with businesses that have great plans but need more support in bringing them to life.”
SWIG Finance supports a range of funding needs, including cashflow, operational costs, marketing, expansion, and acquisitions. Because SWIG Finance bases their lending decisions on potential rather than collateral, they can support projection-led cases that demonstrate a good growth trajectory.
Based in Poole, Richard will guide his customers through the application process, helping them shape their proposals and present the strongest possible case. Businesses don’t need a perfect plan before approaching SWIG. Richard is here to help put the essentials together and support business owners with refining their applications.
Richard is looking forward to getting to know the Dorset business community and expanding his network.
If you’re a business that requires funding, or a broker or support professional working with small businesses, Richard would be delighted to hear from you.
SWIG Finance is a Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI), which means they can support businesses that aren’t able to get mainstream funding. So even if your business hasn’t been able to obtain bank funding, SWIG Finance would welcome a conversation with you.
Contact Richard on:
📞 07761 037223
📧 richardbelcher@swigfinance.co.uk
About SWIG Finance
SWIG Finance is a people-based lender that provides loans and support to help smaller businesses in the South and West Country grow. We base our lending decisions on potential rather than collateral, which means that we can often support businesses when others can't.
We’re growing every year. In 2024/25, we lent £14.8m to 501 businesses, helping to create and secure over 1,272 jobs and generate £75.7m in social impact. Download the report here.
If you’d like an informal chat about your funding requirements, get in touch with our friendly and professional team to see how we can help: info@swigfinance.co.uk / 01872 227 930