Time Finance recognised as Factoring Finance Provider of the Year 2026

The introduction of dedicated receivables finance categories at the Finance Connect Summer Awards 2026 reflected the growing importance of the sector in supporting UK businesses. Among the inaugural winners was Time Finance, named Factoring Finance Provider of the Year.

As Finance Connect continues its series highlighting this year’s Summer Awards winners, we spoke to Edward Rimmer, CEO of Time Finance, about the changing needs of SMEs, the growing demand for integrated funding solutions and the opportunities ahead for the receivables finance sector.

For Edward Rimmer, winning one of the first awards dedicated to receivables finance made the recognition particularly significant.

“Winning this award in the first year where receivables are now represented via Finance Connect is fantastic and we’re delighted to have received the recognition, as it is a true reflection of the hard work our sales and operations team deliver on a daily basis to our clients,” he said.

That commitment comes at a time when SMEs are increasingly looking beyond a single funding product.

“We’re seeing more demand from businesses which are looking for more than one funding solution to aid their growth,” Rimmer explained. “Not just invoice finance but also asset finance and supporting cash flow loans.

“SMEs in today’s economic environment need more structured, smart business finance options to help them navigate their way through the everyday challenges of running a business.”

According to Rimmer, today’s business owners are looking for funding partners that provide more than finance alone.

“Running a business isn’t easy, we know that, and one of the repeated comments we receive from our clients is how much they appreciate the flexible support we provide them,” he said.

“Whether that’s undertaking their credit control, supporting them with their administration woes or simply being there through the everyday interactions they have with our people. As an SME owner it’s always good to know you are not on your own and there are people to turn to and seek knowledge from when you need it the most.”

That consultative approach has also helped Time Finance stand out in an increasingly competitive lending market.

“The market is highly competitive and we are up against a number of alternative lenders in the space, but we believe we are able to differentiate ourselves not only with our customer service – we have an Excellent rating on Trustpilot – but also with the products and smart business finance solutions we offer to SMEs and our broker and intermediary community,” Rimmer said.

“Our Multi-Product solution is a case in example. Funding for businesses isn’t linear; there isn’t one solution which can fit all issues. SME owners require and deserve a smarter approach to business finance that gives them options and choices to help tackle short-term cash flow challenges while also providing the longer-term funding that delivers consistency, stability and the ability to plan for the future.”

Looking ahead, Rimmer believes the newly established Receivables Finance Community within Finance Connect can help drive the sector’s future development.

“There are lots of opportunities for the sector going forward and with the support of Finance Connect we will have the chance to push the industry forward,” he said. “Not only with the forums created to help the sector push the boundaries of technology, how lenders and brokers and intermediaries can work better together, and what we need to do to encourage our next generation of receivables professionals.

“It is vital we as an industry come together to help expand the sector and spread the good news of how invoice finance can assist and support many more SMEs across the country than it currently does.”

Reflecting on the Finance Connect Summer Awards evening, Rimmer said it was encouraging to see the receivables finance industry being celebrated alongside the wider specialist finance market.

“The evening was great fun,” he said. “All of our team and, more importantly, our guests thoroughly enjoyed it.

“Getting together with other lenders, brokers and intermediaries across asset finance and receivables is vital and it feels like it’s been a long time since we have been able to celebrate the receivables industry in style.”

For Time Finance, winning the inaugural Factoring Finance Provider of the Year award reflects not only the strength of its own proposition, but also the growing recognition of receivables finance as an essential funding solution for ambitious UK businesses.