BFS Ireland strengthens Northern Ireland presence to expand SME finance access

• Bibby Financial Services Ireland strengthens Northern Ireland presence to offer SME’s access to bespoke capital to facilitate cross-border and international expansion
• Carmel Mulroe, Regional Sales Lead, leading the regional focus 

81% of Northern Irish SMEs say they will be exploring merger and acquisition activity in the coming 12 months, compared to a 65% national average, according to the latest research from Bibby Financial Services, Ireland’s largest independent provider of financial funding solutions to Irish SMEs.

Additionally, 61% of Northern Irish SMEs say they expect international sales to increase in the next 12 months, 6% higher than the national average, showing positive growth and sales sentiment across the Northern Ireland region. 

In response to the strong economic growth in Northern Ireland, and many businesses actively expanding into the Republic of Ireland and beyond, Bibby Financial Services is now strengthening its presence in Northern Ireland, with Carmel Mulroe, Business Development Manager, leading the regional focus.

Operating across the whole island of Ireland for 20 years Bibby Financial Services is uniquely positioned to offer any required bespoke funding supports to SMEs in Northern Ireland based on their individual requirements. 

Currently Bibby Financial Services, on average, facilitates over £1m a week in new funding limits, in addition to the millions in weekly payments to existing clients, to enable a range of scenarios including cashflow funding, growth and expansion, management buy-ins and buy-outs, refinancing, mergers and acquisitions. Working with ambitious business across Ireland, Bibby Financial Services has expertise in a range of sectors, including Manufacturing, Wholesale, Transport, Construction, Recruitment and a variety of professional business services. 

Carmel Mulroe, who has over two decades of experience working on financial solutions for businesses across the island of Ireland, will act as the dedicated local point of contact for SMEs and their advisors in Northern Ireland. She already works closely with business owners and advisors across the west and north-west of Ireland.

Carmel Mulroe, Regional Sales Lead in Northern Ireland at Bibby Financial Services, says: “Northern Ireland is a hugely exciting market right now, with strong levels of growth and a clear appetite among SMEs to scale and explore new opportunities. We’re seeing increasing demand from businesses looking for flexible funding solutions to support acquisitions, expansion and international growth. 

What makes Bibby Financial Services different is our all-island capability. Many SMEs operate across both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and we can support them through one dedicated relationship with funding solutions tailored to both jurisdictions. By strengthening our presence in Northern Ireland, we’re ensuring ambitious SMEs and their advisors have direct access to the local expertise and bespoke funding they need to grow with confidence.”

Bibby Financial Services - Financial Services Company of the Year at the Chambers Ireland in Business Recognition Awards 2025

Bibby Financial Services is Ireland’s largest independent SME funder. With 20 years of experience operating throughout the island, the company facilitates more than £1 million weekly in new funding limits, in addition to processing significant weekly payments for existing clients. Bibby Financial Services offers flexible finance solutions to help businesses manage cashflow, drive growth, complete management buy-ins and buy-outs, restructure and fund mergers and acquisitions.

We provide support to businesses with a turnover of £750,000 or more, with expertise across sectors such as Manufacturing, Food and Beverage, Wholesale, Transport, Construction, Recruitment, and a broad range of professional business services. The company was awarded Financial Services Company of the Year at the Chambers Ireland InBusiness Recognition Awards 2025.

Bibby Financial Services Ireland is part of Bibby Financial Services Group, an independent financial services partner to over 8,500 businesses across 9 countries in Europe and Asia, with a total funding capacity of £1 billion.