Goodman Corporate Group announces launch of ‘Finance for Forces’
Goodman Financial Group is excited to announce the launch of its latest venture, ‘Finance for Forces’, a business providing bespoke commercial finance solutions to military personnel and their community. This innovative initiative aims to revolutionise financial services for those who have served in the Armed Forces, empowering them to achieve their business ambitions with the same dedication and precision they demonstrated in service. Finance for Forces is founded by Russell Lewis and Paul Goodman.
The idea for Finance for Forces was conceived by combining Russell’s military background with Paul’s vast experience in commercial finance and the SME market. Recognising a gap in the market for tailored financial solutions that address the unique needs of military personnel and veterans, the founders aim to create customised services that leverage their distinctive skills and experiences for business success. Russell spent over 20 years in the British Army, serving as an officer in the Parachute Regiment. His service includes deployments to Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan, where his leadership as a Company Commander earned him the Military Cross for gallantry under fire. His detailed account of this period is captured in his book, ‘Company Commander’.
After transitioning from full-time military service, Russell utilised his expertise to become a leadership and strategy consultant across corporate and charitable sectors. His work includes training multinational corporations in strategic development, leadership, and high-performance team building. He also contributed significantly to Help for Heroes, Durham University, and the Centre for Army Leadership at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Russell holds an MSc in Leadership and Management from Portsmouth Business School and has served in several prominent roles, including a board director for the National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers (NACFB) and Chief of Staff at Ashford and St Peters NHS Hospitals Trust. He continues to serve as a Lieutenant Colonel in the British Army Reserves and is the next Commanding Officer of the London Guards. Russell shares: “All of the Armed Forces leavers that I know, who went down the self-employment route or set up their own business, struggled to find commercial finance. It’s an alien world and hard to navigate if it’s not what you are used to.
Finance for Forces is specifically designed to alleviate this. We want to take all the stress and all the unknowns and do it for them; so that they can concentrate on building and running their business. The Armed Forces produces phenomenally talented people- motivated, disciplined and ambitious. We want to help unlock this talent by assisting with all their commercial finance requirements. From a new van to a warehouse, from new tools to a data cloud we can help with it all.”
Paul, co-founder of Finance for Forces , brings over 34 years’ experience in accountancy and various industry roles, with a deep understanding of the SME market. Known for his commitment to independence, objectivity, and integrity, Paul specialises in developing tailored commercial finance solutions for diverse corporate sectors.
Paul’s leadership tenure includes a decade as chair of the NACFB, where he played a pivotal role in advocating for industry standards and representing the largest independent, non-profit trade body in commercial finance. Furthermore, he held a position on the government’s Business Finance Council, underscoring his influence and expertise in the field. Paul shares: “Having facilitated over £3bn of funding to UK SME’s during my time in business, I know first-hand how difficult it can be for SME’s to navigate the commercial finance market. Finance for Forces is the UK’s only brokerage dedicated to helping those who are or have served our Country across all the Armed Forces in securing the commercial finance they need to grow and scale their businesses. This service extends to the wider Armed Forces community as well, including family members who may have ambitions to start businesses whilst their loved ones are serving our Country.” Recognising the significant opportunity presented by Finance for Forces, Paul is eager to leverage his extensive knowledge of the SME market to assist military personnel and veterans in securing the commercial finance necessary to achieve their business goals.
About Finance for Forces
Finance for Forces is dedicated to empowering military personnel and veterans by providing customised commercial finance solutions that address their unique needs and challenges. Not only does Finance for Forces provide solutions for those who have directly served, but it also extends its support to their families and community.
With the combined expertise of Russell and Paul, the venture aims to offer support and guidance, ensuring that those who have served their Country can confidently navigate the commercial financial landscape and succeed in their business endeavours.