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Louise McCoy
Louise McCoy
During over 20 years of working in the Financial Services industry, Louise McCoy has worked with businesses of all sizes. Now as Commercial Director in the British Business Bank, Louise works with Delivery Partners across the UK on delivering the Start Up Loans programme. She is passionate about supporting SMEs in accessing the crucial support and finance needed to start up."
Louise McCoy of the British Business Bank's Start Up Loans programme reports on a record summer of lending, with over 3,000 loans and £40 million delivered to UK entrepreneurs, and sets out ambitious targets for autumn.

Summer of lending, autumn of opportunity

Louise McCoy
Oct 9 '26
Louise McCoy of the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme reports on a record summer of lending, with over 3,000 loans and £40 million delivered to UK entrepreneurs, and sets out ambitious targets for autumn
Discover the progress and barriers facing female entrepreneurs in the UK, from access to finance and support to opportunities for growth.

Breaking barriers: progress and persistence for female entrepreneurs

Louise McCoy
Sep 8 '26
Women are launching businesses in record numbers, yet structural barriers around finance persist. Louise McCoy of Start Up Loans marks two major milestones and asks what still needs to change
Start Up Loans reports that nearly two thousand retailers received over £21 million in finance, boosting jobs and high,street vitality.

How small retailers are driving the UK economy

Louise McCoy
Aug 17 '26
Start Up Loans reports that nearly two thousand retailers received over £21 million in finance, boosting jobs and high,street vitality
46% of UK adults have a side hustle in 2026. Louise McCoy of Start Up Loans explains how part-time entrepreneurs can test, grow and eventually commit to their business full time.

Running a business part time alongside employment

Louise McCoy
Jun 19 '26
46% of UK adults have a side hustle in 2026. Louise McCoy of Start Up Loans explains how part-time entrepreneurs can test, grow and eventually commit to their business full time
Youth unemployment has surpassed pandemic levels, making entrepreneurship a more compelling career option than ever for young people in the UK.

Youth entrepreneurship UK: why young people should consider starting a business

Louise McCoy
Jun 4 '26
Youth unemployment has surpassed pandemic levels, making entrepreneurship a more compelling career option than ever for young people in the UK
Helping the UK’s entrepreneurs back themselves – with confidence as well as capital

Helping the UK’s entrepreneurs back themselves – with confidence as well as capital

Louise McCoy
Apr 9 '26
From the newest startup to the world’s most recognisable companies, the origin of a business arguably starts with two essentials – the idea, and the conviction to pursue it
Backing women in business

Backing women in business

Louise McCoy
Mar 10 '26
The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day, Give to Gain, shines a light on creating meaningful opportunities and support for women that creates lasting impact
Public commentary at times paints Gen Z as unmotivated, yet what we are seeing at Start Up Loans challenges common assumptions like this.

The next generation of founders

Louise McCoy
Feb 25 '26
Public commentary at times paints Gen Z as unmotivated, yet what we are seeing at Start Up Loans challenges common assumptions like this
2025 has been a stand-out year for small businesses accessing the Start Up Loans programme.

Key successes and learnings from small business in 2025

Louise McCoy
Dec 31 '25
2025 has been a stand-out year for small businesses accessing the Start Up Loans programme
A fresh start – beginning a business when unemployed

A fresh start – beginning a business when unemployed 

Louise McCoy
Nov 10 '25
Setting up a business when unemployed can be daunting. Challenges range from a lack of finances, to having imposter syndrome, to not knowing the difference between a sole trader and a limited company
Start Up Loans announces its 25/26 Ambassadors

Start Up Loans announces its 25/26 Ambassadors

Louise McCoy
Oct 20 '25
This week, we announced a new cohort of 14 inspiring small business owners from across the UK who demonstrate the creativity, resilience, and determination needed to start and scale up a business
Bridging the AI gap

Bridging the AI gap: Helping smaller businesses keep up

Louise McCoy
Aug 1 '25
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is seemingly everywhere! It is becoming an increasingly used tool for business purposes, with applications ranging from talking to customers, writing a business plan or providing marketing ideas, to writing advertising copy and producing graphics