Could your business be missing opportunities overseas?

Growth remains a priority for many UK businesses, but expanding internationally often raises questions about finance, cashflow and risk. As the UK's export credit agency, UK Export Finance (UKEF) exists to ensure no viable UK export fails for lack of finance or insurance. Working alongside banks, lenders and insurers, UKEF helps businesses win contracts, fulfil orders and get paid through a range of finance and insurance solutions.

For finance leaders, this presents an opportunity to add value when considering export growth. Accountants are often at the centre of conversations about funding, investment and business planning, making them well placed to identify where government-backed support could help unlock international opportunities.

UKEF supports businesses at every stage of their exporting journey. Working through a network of banks, lenders, brokers and other partners, UKEF helps businesses access the finance and insurance they need to trade internationally. For smaller businesses, this may mean support with working capital, contract bonds or protection against non-payment. For larger firms, it can include substantial financing packages that support export growth, international expansion and long-term investment.

In 2025/26, UKEF provided more than £11 billion of support for UK exporters, helping 937 businesses, supporting up to 85,000 jobs and contributing up to £6.4 billion to UK GDP. Around two-thirds of the businesses supported were SMEs.

The government has recently increased UKEF's financing capacity to £80 billion, providing greater scope to support British exporters as they pursue opportunities in global markets. Alongside this, five major UK lenders have committed £11 billion to increase the availability of finance for smaller exporters through facilities supported by UKEF guarantees. The commitment is designed to help address one of the biggest barriers faced by many SMEs – access to the working capital needed to fulfil orders, invest in growth and expand internationally. The government has also announced plans for a future joint scheme between UKEF and the British Business Bank to improve access to finance for smaller exporters and businesses with export ambitions.

Export opportunities are often shaped by a business's ability to secure finance, manage cashflow and take on risk confidently. Whether you are an advisor, a first-time exporter, a growing SME, an established exporter looking to expand internationally or a business that supports exporters through the wider UK supply chain, an understanding of export finance can help ICAEW members broaden conversations about growth and identify support that may not otherwise be considered.

Importantly, UKEF works with the private sector, not in competition with it. It partners with banks, lenders, insurers and brokers to help businesses access finance and insurance where additional government backing can make a difference. For many businesses, support is delivered through existing banking relationships and trusted advisers. In addition, UKEF's network of regional Export Finance Managers provides free and impartial guidance, helping businesses understand the finance and insurance options available to support their export ambitions.

For finance leaders and accountants, that means there is a readily accessible source of support that can be introduced alongside existing relationships, helping you or your clients explore international opportunities with greater confidence.

Businesses and advisers can learn more about UKEF's support at UK Export Finance.

Further information on the organisations and businesses UKEF supports is available at who UKEF can help.

Businesses can also contact their local Export Finance Manager for free and impartial guidance on the finance and insurance options available to support their export ambitions.