BCRS funding supports bookkeeping firm expansion

A Stoke-on-Trent bookkeeping business is preparing for further growth after securing funding from BCRS Business Loans to expand its workforce and upgrade its offices.

Drive Ahead Bookkeeping, based on Shelton New Road in Stoke-on-Trent, has used the finance to recruit a senior team member and invest in new office furniture as part of plans to increase turnover and profitability.

The business was founded in 2020 by director Dave Shannon after he retrained following a 17-year career as a driving instructor. Since launching, the company has grown rapidly and now employs seven people, including an apprentice.

Drive Ahead Bookkeeping provides external financial support services for sole traders and small businesses across Cheshire and Staffordshire, including VAT returns, payroll services, credit control and profit management.

Shannon said the funding would help the firm build on its recent growth and strengthen its position in the region.

“We have been on a massive growth journey having started out as a sole trader to now employing seven staff, including an apprentice, so we were looking to consolidate on previous borrowing to recruit a senior accounts manager and invest in the office,” he said.

“BCRS Business Loans were very professional, treating us as a business on merit rather than employing an algorithm to make their decision. We were directed to speak with them through a commercial finance broker and were impressed that they took the time to visit us, which added a human element to a straightforward process so we would recommend them to other businesses.

“We believe we are now the biggest bookkeeping company in Staffordshire and are looking to further strengthen our position by growing our turnover and improving profitability.”

BCRS Business Loans provides loans of between £10,000 and £250,000 to small and medium-sized enterprises across the Midlands and Wales that struggle to access funding from traditional lenders.

“As a community-based lender BCRS Business Loans has a focus on supporting small businesses to unlock new opportunities so we were pleased to support Drive Ahead Bookkeeping,” he said.

“We recognised the growth journey they were on and the opportunity to employ more people to help continue to build the business. We look forward to following the progress of Dave and his team as they continue to support customers across Cheshire and Staffordshire.”

Since launching in 2002, BCRS Business Loans has delivered £100 million in lending to businesses, generating £518 million in economic impact. Up to April 2025, the organisation supported 1,594 businesses unable to access traditional finance, creating more than 5,900 jobs and safeguarding a further 11,779 roles.

During the 2024-25 financial year, the lender delivered one of its strongest performances, providing £9.9 million to 124 businesses – a 68% increase in the number of SMEs supported compared with the previous year. The funding safeguarded 889 jobs and created 317 new roles while adding £51.2 million to the economy of the West Midlands, surrounding regions and Wales, with more than a third of investment directed to the UK’s most disadvantaged areas.