For the last 25 years I have swum in the SME pond. Mainly in manufacturing, but by no means exclusively. The one constant theme within all companies (my own and those I have advised) has been availability of, and access to cash.

Availability of cash has ebbed and flowed over the years and with it we observe the relationship with Bankers flowering and souring. They are great guys when they are throwing money at you, but evil so and so’s when they want it back quickly.

Last week brought a new experience when a senior bank manager referred to a manufacturer’s capital investment in new and innovative processes as “taking cash out of the business.”

No wonder SME’s struggle to make significant breakthroughs (I use this term deliberately) when UK Banks take this attitude towards the engine room of the UK economy. I urge you to hold them accountable.