Investment specialists UKSE West Midlands step up business and community support
Investment specialists UKSE have increased their impact among businesses and the community in the West Midlands, according to their annual report.
The regional team grew the average deal size for investments to local companies by 22% year on year, according to figures collated for the 2025-26 responsibility report produced by UKSE, the regeneration arm of Tata Steel.
Out of 197 jobs created nationally through investments by UKSE, which provides strategic funding of up to £1m to generate growth, create jobs and bolster the economy, 42 were in the West Midlands.
The local team, based in Keys Business Village, Cannock, support SMEs across Birmingham, the Black Country, Coventry, Staffordshire and Telford. Among those to benefit last year was female-led recruitment company KC Group, who were able to focus on delivering growth following a significant contract win supported by UKSE.
Solihull-based KC Group secured £100,000 in investment from UKSE to support the delivery of a four-year contract, which would allow the workforce to grow from 13 to 21.
UKSE also steps in to support community projects, with direct funding for projects and staff volunteering. The investment specialist focuses on programmes offered by good causes to improve people’s skills and employment opportunities.
In the last financial year, UKSE West Midlands delivered support worth £15,000 in total, impacting 345 people.
The good causes to benefit included YMCA North Staffordshire, which has been able to help nine young people into training and employment thanks to a UKSE-funded bursary scheme, along with Lichfield-based charity Liberty Jamboree which received a £1,500 donation to support young adults with additional needs through an employability-focused social enterprise initiative.
Beacon Hockey Club, based in Walsall, was able to encourage more youngsters to get active after receiving a £1,475 donation for new training equipment, while Sport 4 Life in Birmingham, which supports disadvantaged young people gain employment, education and training, were given a £5,000 donation to run an employability skills workshop.
Supporting communities since 1975, UKSE makes equity investments, ensuring management stays in control and offering a flexible exit policy. Since launch UKSE has invested more than £123m in businesses and helped create more than 85,000 jobs.
UKSE regional manager Steve Grice said: “Increasing our average deal size reflects our commitment to delivering transformational support to dynamic West Midlands businesses with an increased focus upon equity support. We are pleased to empower local employers through targeted funding which creates real jobs and meaningful opportunities across the region.”
Regional executive Mike Lowe said: “Collaborating directly with grassroots community projects has shown the direct impact which our funding brings to local life every day. It has been rewarding to help organisations like Liberty Jamboree and Sport 4 Life gain the resources they need to change lives in our communities.” The UKSE responsibility report for 2025-26 showed the investment specialist had delivered support for 75 projects nationally with a combined valued of £124,000, impacting 9300 people.