International SME funder, Bibby Financial Services (BFS), and regional accountancy and business advisory firm, Azets, have agreed a strategic partnership to provide whole-turnover invoice finance facilities.

The deal, unveiled today, sees BFS become Azets' preferred partner for funding facilities up to £250,000, enabling its network of 3,500 accountancy and advisory specialists to access working capital and cashflow solutions to support their clients.

Derek Ryan, UK managing director for BFS, said: "We want to further build on and complement the relationships we have throughout the intermediary and business advisory community.

"Azets' commitment to delivering excellent service, coupled with its expert network of accountants and business advisors make it a natural and strategic fit for us, and we look forward to boosting support for UK SMEs together."

BFS is the UK's largest independent invoice finance provider, supporting more than 6,000 SME clients in over 300 industry sectors.

Neil Grogan, head of strategic partnerships at Azets, said: "SMEs are the lifeblood of the economy, and we're committed to helping them through the provision of the expert advice offered throughout our network.

"As the largest independent invoice finance provider, BFS has both the expertise and scale to enable our accountancy and advisory specialists to better support their clients in 2022 and beyond."

Azets is part of Azets Group, Europe's largest regional accountancy and specialist business advisor to SMEs, and has an office at Gloucester Business Park in Brockworth.

Mr Ryan added: "As a family-owned business celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2022, it's hugely important to us that we partner with organisations that share our values.

"Azets absolutely does this, and our new partnership will undoubtedly help UK SMEs - wherever they are in their business lifecycle through the provision of future focused-finance solutions."