CITY hotshot Nicola Horlick was in Oxfordshire last week to talk about ways firms can raise cash.

The mother-of-four, dubbed ‘superwoman’, met representatives of the Local Enterprise Partnership.

Ms Horlick is a City investment fund manager and entrepreneur.

Her new firm Money&Co, is a crowdfunding venture which connects investors with small and medium-sized firms which need finance.

She says there is a need for this, as research by the Department of Business and Innovation suggests there is £4.3bn shortfall in bank lending to SMEs.

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Ms Horlick, said: “Oxfordshire is a hub for innovation and knowledge and we shouldn’t underestimate its contribution to the UK economy. However, it’s clear that the needs of the region’s businesses aren’t always being met, in particular with regards to access to finance.

“I know that businesses and the people running them are worthy of finance and investment.

“Unfortunately, we are still seeing businesses starved by the traditional financial establishment of the funding they need.

“Alternative finance, such as person-to-business lending, is increasingly helping businesses to get the finance they need to grow, but lack of awareness is still a problem.

“My visit to Oxford, and meeting the Local Enterprise Partnership, as well as local lenders, is all about changing that. I want to make sure businesses are aware of the benefits of crowdfunding and how it can help Oxfordshire.”

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