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leoni sceti group
SME Funding Experiences
About The Client
At a time of growing economic uncertainty, the Leoni Sceti Group commissioned Mackman Research to explore the funding experiences of SME business directors across England.
The aim was to better understand how regional business leaders access financial support and how their relationship with lenders influences growth potential.
The Leoni Sceti Group is a London-based private investment company focused on supporting entrepreneurial ventures and innovation.
With a particular interest in SMEs and scalable businesses, the group has a history of investing in consumer, healthcare, and digital sectors. The business champions research-led insight to guide strategic investment and policy engagement.
Table of Contents
The Research Project
Mackman Research was commissioned to survey small and medium sized enterprise (SME) business directors by Leoni Sceti Group, London. The purpose of the study was to explore the current funding environment for SMEs in the UK. Questions were designed to gain insight into and understand the relationship that SMEs have with their key relationship banks and the funding community at large.
Customer Feedback Survey Results
The Leoni Sceti Group purchased a verified business contact list. From this list, approximately 155 respondents took part in structured surveys. The research achieved a confidence level of 95% and a confidence interval of +/- 7.87%, based on recent population figures for SME businesses in England. This gives the findings a statistically robust foundation for interpretation and future application.
Research Aims & Objectives
The primary aim of the research was to evaluate how SME directors currently access funding, alongside the channels they rely on and their overall satisfaction with key financial providers. The study sought to uncover any regional disparities in banking relationships and explore how these dynamics influence business confidence and growth planning. It also aimed to identify the key barriers SME leaders face when seeking funding, as well as the opportunities for improving relationships between businesses and lenders. Ultimately, the findings were intended to inform more equitable investment strategies and shape meaningful policy discussions.
The Research Design & Methodology
Mackman Research was supplied with an initial questionnaire by the Leoni Sceti Group, which was refined to ensure clarity and neutrality in the phrasing of questions. Survey participation was in the form of a telephone interview, lasting approximately ten minutes with a trained researcher. A charity donation was offered as an incentive to take part. Several respondents preferred an online format: a live digital survey connection was established, enabling company directors to complete the questions at their convenience. All data was anonymised and securely stored in compliance with GDPR.
Research Outcomes
Conducted at a vital time when business leaders were looking for financial direction, the SME business research was a key study for Leoni Sceti. Importantly, the results showed there was a North/South split in the availability of funding, with companies in the North finding it significantly more difficult to secure funds from banks and/or equity investors.
The research also revealed that although directors in the North have more frequent contact with their bank managers, they are markedly less satisfied with the service they receive. A recurring theme was the perception of a transactional, rather than advisory, banking relationship. In contrast, Southern businesses reported fewer interactions with lenders but described a more tailored and supportive experience.
These findings suggested a need for regionally adaptive investment strategies and highlighted opportunities for banks and financial institutions to build stronger, trust-based relationships with SME clients
