Funding Circle, the UK’s leading SME finance platform, is using its longstanding PREM Rugby partnership to help small businesses get noticed, giving one SME the chance to harness rugby star power for its next marketing campaign.
Over half (51%) of UK SME owners say getting noticed by new customers is one of their biggest growth challenges with one in three (34%) stating they have good ideas for promoting their business but lack the funding or resources to bring them to life.
Funding Circle teams up with England rugby star Henry Pollock in a playful new launch film, inviting UK SMEs to enter The Pitch competition for the chance to win a professionally produced advert.
New research from Funding Circle reveals UK small businesses have the ambition and ideas to compete with bigger brands, but many feel they lack the marketing firepower to get noticed.
Over half (51%) of UK small business owners say getting their business noticed by new customers is one of their biggest challenges to growth, according to research commissioned by Funding Circle. Turning ambition into action isn't always easy and with limited time, budgets and marketing expertise, many small business owners struggle to bring their ideas to life. While one in three (34%) have good ideas for promoting their business, they don't always have the funding or resources to bring them to life. Cash flow pressures are also taking their toll, with 35% saying these have prevented them from promoting their business as they'd like over the past year.
In fact, more than half (51%) of SME owners surveyed spent less than £1,000 on marketing and advertising over the past 12 months, including one in six (16%) who spent nothing at all. Yet when asked what they'd most like to invest in if budget and access were no object, almost four in ten (39%) chose either a professionally produced advertising campaign or professional social and video content.
Small business owners continue to wear multiple hats when it comes to promoting their businesses. Almost half (49%) personally manage their business's social media accounts, while four in ten (42%) take their own photography and video content and more than a quarter (28%) have had to learn marketing skills they never expected to need.
When it comes to finding the right face to represent their business, SME owners value trustworthiness (43%), authenticity (33%) and relatability (26%) above all else. Qualities that Funding Circle is looking to bring to life through its partnership with England rugby star Henry Pollock, whose personality and energy are at the heart of the campaign.
Now, Funding Circle, the UK’s leading SME finance platform, is using its partnership with PREM Rugby to level the playing field, and help one small business get noticed.
Built around the idea of 'Backing big players and small businesses', Funding Circle's partnership with PREM Rugby celebrates the hard work and ambition it takes to succeed, whether on the pitch or in business. Recognising that no one succeeds alone, Funding Circle is committed to being in the corner of UK small businesses, providing the fast, fair and hassle-free finance they need to win.
Now, through The Pitch, Funding Circle is taking that support a step further, using its partnership with PREM Rugby to give one small business the chance to get noticed on a bigger stage.
Through The Pitch, UK SMEs are being invited to pitch their business, with one winning business receiving a professionally produced advertising video starring Henry Pollock with the potential of additional PREM rugby stars as well as a £5000 advertising campaign and co-branded LED advertising at their local PREM Rugby club.
To launch the competition, Funding Circle has enlisted England and Northampton Saints star Henry Pollock to give small businesses a taste of what could be possible with some star power behind them. In a playful new campaign film, Pollock is dropped into a series of small-business settings, from serving coffee and working out in a gym to trying his hand at hairdressing, accountancy, hospitality, construction and cycling.
Alexander Allen, Managing Director & Chief Customer Officer at Funding Circle said: “We support small businesses every day, so we know just how much hard work, ambition and creativity goes into running one. But having a great business is only half the battle. Getting it in front of the right people can be just as challenging, especially when you're juggling everything else that comes with running a business.
At Funding Circle, we've always been about helping small businesses thrive, and that goes beyond access to finance. Our partnership with PREM Rugby gives us a brilliant opportunity to do something different, using the reach and profile of the sport to shine a light on the businesses that keep the UK moving. We're really excited to see who puts themselves forward and what we can create together.”
Henry Pollock, Northampton Saints and England Rugby Star said: “Small businesses are a huge part of rugby, supporting clubs and communities up and down the country, so it's great to have the chance to give something back. I'm used to being thrown into different positions on a rugby pitch, but going on loan as a barista, barber and accountant were definitely new ones for me! We had a lot of fun making the film, and I can't wait to see what businesses come up with.”
The Pitch is open to UK businesses, with entries opening on 20 October and closing on 3 November 2026. Businesses can enter at https://www.fundingcircle.com/uk/rugby/competition/the-pitch/ for the chance to win a professionally produced advertising campaign featuring PREM Rugby talent. Eligibility criteria apply, with one entry permitted per business and no purchase necessary. Full terms and conditions are available on the website.
ENDS
About the research
Research was conducted by Cover Media on behalf of Funding Circle among 750 UK SME owners. Results were segmented by key demographics, including region, enabling comparisons across different SME audiences. Fieldwork was conducted between 05.10.2026 and 12.10.2026.
About Funding Circle
Funding Circle Holdings plc (LSE: FCH) is the UK’s leading SME finance platform. Since 2010, we have extended more than £18bn in credit to over 135,000 UK businesses, helping them power the economy and their communities.
By combining proprietary AI-powered credit models with a human touch, we provide a seamless experience that allows SMEs to borrow, pay later, and spend through a single ecosystem. For institutional investors, Funding Circle offers access to an attractive, underserved asset class through a platform built on deep data and a proven track record of robust returns.
About Funding Circle x PREM Rugby
Funding Circle is proud to be the Official Business Finance Partner of PREM Rugby for the fifth season in 2026/27.
Funding Circle, proud to be the team behind your team. Like rugby, running a business takes grit, hard work and a good team of people behind you, and Funding Circle has your back all the way. We’re proud to sponsor PREM Rugby because we support businesses all over the UK, and we’re here to back your business from behind the scenes.
From hassle-free loans to flexible business credit cards, we offer finance designed for the way you do business. Learn more about our partnership with PREM Rugby at https://www.fundingcircle.com/uk/rugby/