Meet the lender – Joanna Cashmore, Sallyport Commercial Finance

The world of invoice finance is changing, with economic uncertainty shaping how businesses access funding. We spoke with Joanna Cashmore, sales director at Sallyport Commercial Finance, to get her take on current trends, advice for first-time borrowers and what the future might hold for business finance.

What trends are you currently seeing in the invoice finance market?

Decision times are getting longer. Uncertainty in the economy means businesses are taking longer to respond to basic information requests. However, since the Budget announcement, this has started to improve.

What advice would you give to businesses seeking financing for the first time?

Look beyond just the cost—choose a facility that fits your business now and in the future. If you’re growing, make sure your funding can expand with you rather than being capped at what works today. Also, be upfront about everything. Any hidden issues will come out during due diligence and trust is hard to rebuild once lost.

Do you see the lending landscape changing in the coming years?

Now that Covid-related lending is tapering off, we’re seeing less appetite for unsecured loans and more demand for traditional finance. Alternative finance is gaining traction as awareness improves and we expect to see more businesses turning to it. There’s also a backlog of insolvencies, restructures and M&A activity that’s likely to pick up. More lenders are working together across different funding types – debt, refinance and equity – to create tailored finance packages.

What motivates you personally in your work as a lender?

Invoice finance is more than just lending – it’s a service. Businesses need finance partners they can trust, from the initial proposal to ongoing relationship management. I believe in doing the right thing and being a good person, which aligns with how we work at Sally Port.

How long have you been working with Evolve Business Finance and how has the partnership benefited your business?

We’re reconnecting, and it’s clear we share a vision – genuinely looking after clients and growing our businesses sustainably with a strong reputation.

Can you share something about yourself that people might be surprised to learn?

Despite having two daughters and a house full of dresses and makeup, I’m a tomboy at heart.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about your company?

Our team has over 150 years of experience in invoice finance. We’ve seen almost everything, which means we can support our clients with flexibility and commercial insight.