ritish businesses are looking to increase their global footprint, driven by a desire to access larger markets and diversify revenue. But the challenge is no longer just about appetite, it’s about execution: how to accelerate expansion, protect cash flow and enter new markets with confidence.
This is where Government-backed export finance can offer support. As the Government’s export credit agency, UK Export Finance (UKEF) has a transformative role: to help UK companies win overseas contracts, deliver them and, crucially, get paid. UKEF’s finance, insurance and guarantees can help businesses access working capital, manage risk and compete on a global scale. In 2024/25 alone, UKEF provided more than £14.5bn in support for UK exports, and supported up to 70,000 jobs across the country.
The motivation to export is grounded in business confidence, but structure, Government support and the right financial foundations are still required. Access to the right tools and mechanisms can help businesses align their ambition with practical support and next steps.
In a February 2026 survey conducted by The Week, of 1,000 UK business owners, managers and self-employed people, 84% said they felt very or quite confident about their growth prospects in the next year. More than a quarter said that 50% or more of their income comes from overseas clients, while nearly half plan to expand internationally. The reasons are simple: access to larger and faster-growing markets, a diversified revenue stream, greater long-term resilience and the ability to scale innovation globally.
For many businesses, exporting is becoming part of long-term resilience planning rather than just an aspiration. Structured finance and risk-sharing tools – including Government-backed support from UK Export Finance – can form one component of the broader support on offer to help with risks and costs for expanding businesses.
Across trade, finance, people and innovation, survey findings suggest UK businesses are forging ahead with ambition tempered by realism. They are ready to invest, innovate, expand into new markets, and strengthen their teams – but they want to do so with confidence and secure foundations.
The global push, however, is not about chasing growth at any cost. It is about building resilient businesses ready to compete internationally. With appropriate finance and risk-management tools in place, including export credit and insurance options, businesses can pursue international opportunities with greater confidence.
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The global push:
If ambition is widespread, what holds businesses back? Often, it is not demand, but execution. Overseas contracts often require businesses to spend before they are paid. Manufacturers frequently need to invest in new machinery or secure additional raw materials. Food and drink producers may face longer payment cycles and unfamiliar compliance standards. For growing businesses, working capital can be stretched at the very moment opportunity arises.
This is where access to export finance and risk management becomes an important consideration. Government-backed support – including the guarantees offered by UKEF – gives lenders greater confidence to provide facilities that help businesses finance production, manage cash flow and take on larger orders or new market opportunities.
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For some businesses, goods must be produced, shipped and sometimes even stored before revenue is realised. Innovation adds another layer, and over the past year, 62% of SMEs (small- and medium-sized enterprises) have invested in digital tools and automation, 58% in new products or services, and 41% in sustainability initiatives. All require capital, making export finance support even more critical.
Businesses hoping to expand into new market territories can also get support from UKEF. Desire for structured backing is strong: 46% of SMEs said they would be quite likely to explore Government-backed support that aligns with their ambitions. Businesses can draw on a range of services to navigate these challenges, including trade guidance from the Department for Business and Trade, providing practical export tools to help firms make decisions as they scale.
International expansion isn’t just about capital, but about building teams capable of delivering on global opportunities. Support for workforce development, skills training and research partnerships are available across Government, including no-fee recruitment support from Jobcentre Plus, which can help you hire and train the right talent to grow your business.
This content has been produced in partnership with the Government. While commercial support has enabled the creation of this material, all editorial decisions – including topic selection, interviews, analysis and final copy – have been made independently by the editorial team. Our commitment to impartial, agenda-free journalism remains unchanged.
84% of UK SMEs said
What is holding businesses back?
How do finance and people fit into business expansion?
A measured but ambitious future
