News

ART Chief Honored by University of Birmingham

Steve Walker, Chief Executive of ART, was made a Doctor of the University of Birmingham on 12th December 2007 in recognition of his work as a champion of enterprise in the City.

Dr Carl Chinn Drops In

On 2nd November 2007, ART was delighted to welcome Dr Carl Chinn to its offices, to meet the staff team and interview two of its borrowers for Ed Doolan’s show on BBC Radio WM.

ART Celebrates its First Decade

ART opened its doors for business on 27th June 1997. As it celebrated its 10th anniversary it had lent nearly £6m to a wide variety of businesses in the Birmingham area, enabling more than 320 borrowers to create or protect over 2,800 local jobs for local people.

ART Helps Birmingham Businesses to Beat the Credit Crunch

Birmingham businesses needn’t lose out as the credit crunch bites, because ART is there as an alternative lender when the banks say “no”.

Annual Report 2007

 

10th Anniversary Newsletter

 

Ray Lowe Joins ART Board

Ray Lowe has joined the Board of ART following his retirement as a Director of Wesleyan Financial Services. January 2007

ART calls on Finance Industry Professionals

Although now in it’s 10th year, ART (Aston Reinvestment Trust) – and other CDFIs (Community Development Finance Institutions) like it – remain a secret to many finance industry professionals, particularly in terms of the potential benefits to their clients. November 2006

Breakfast Briefing for The Finance Community

Breakfast Briefing for The Finance Community at Aston Science Park 23rd January 2007

ART reaches £5m Milestone

A loan to Tudor Doors of Yardley has brought the total amount invested in local enterprise by ART (Aston Reinvestment Trust) since it started over 9 years ago to more than £5m. October 2006

Small Business are losing out on loan finance

Whilst many small businesses say that access to finance remains an issue, it seems that they are not taking full advantage of all that is available to them. Many are relying on expensive credit cards, or going without if their banks say ‘no’, unaware that there are other options. September 2006

Annual Report 2006

Annual Report 2006

Housing Chief joins ART

Laurice Ponting, Chief Executive of Mercian Housing Association, is the latest recruit to ART’s Board. August 2006

Newsletter 2006

Newsletter 2006

ART secures new funding

Thanks to new funding from Advantage West Midlands' Small Loan Programme, ART will have over £2m to lend over the next two years.

ART Launches CD-ROM

ART Launches CD-ROM to help Entrepreneurs succeed

ART celebrates record year ended March 2006

ART lent a record £1.2m in the financial year 2005-6. The money has supported commercial and social enterprises in Birmingham and North Solihull engaged in a wide range of activities including manufacturing, IT, leisure, catering and other services. April 2006

2005 Attwood Award

2005 Attwood Award

When the rules change Businesses needn't lose out

 

Fair Finance Consortium

A group of alternative finance providers in the West Midlands, including ART, have joined forces to form The ‘Fair Finance Consortium’, with the aim of raising awareness of what they can offer when traditional lenders such as banks can’t help. October 2005

Mutuals Show Support

Two leading Mutuals have revealed their support for enterprise in the Birmingham area by investing In ART.

Annual Report 2005

Annual Report 2005

Leading Figures join ART Board

ART’s Board has been strengthened with the appointment of two leading figures from Birmingham’s business community. September 2005

Barclays helps to market finance for enterprise

Barclays’ Financial Inclusion Team has awarded £15,000 of grant funding to ART to help the organisation raise awareness of its activities and attract more borrowers and investors. August 2005

Helping to Secure Additional Funding

ART often lends alongside other financiers, or refers on to other lenders.

ART welcomes visitors

European Finance Network representatives from Bulgaria, Germany and Spain visisted ART this month to find out more about its model of finance. February 2005

Newsletter 2005

Newsletter

New Chair at ART

Sir Adrian Cadbury, Chair of ART since its inception in 1997 has retired from office and handed over to Lowry Maclean Chairman of the Wesleyan Assurance Society, the financially strong Birmingham-based Mutual. September 2004

Sir Digby Jones invests

Digby Jones, Director General of the CBI, has become the latest personal investor in ART. November 2004

An investment opportunity with a difference

ART launches a campaign to raise a minimum of £200K this financial year from corporate and individual investors, whose return will be primarily social rather than financial. Investors will benefit from a new tax relief whilst boosting enterprise within the local economy. June 2004

10th Anniversary Newsletter

 

Annual report

 

Annual Report 2007

Annual Report 2007

Anniversary Newsletter 2007

 

Dr Carl Chinn Interview

Interview