Entrepreneur secures six-figure multi-lender funding to boost construction firm’s growth

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BIRMINGHAM UK — August 20, 2026

The entrepreneur behind the transformation of Wolverhampton’s iconic Express & Star building has secured six-figure funding from four Midlands lenders to support the growth of his contracting business.

This includes an invoice finance facility from FlexABL, alongside debt funding from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II through fund managers Frontier Development Capital and BCRS Business Loans, together with a term loan from ART Business Loans.

Together, the lending facilities will provide Benedict Anslow, the managing director of BAX Construction, with the working capital to take on larger local authority and commercial construction projects across the West Midlands. The business has recently secured seven-figure contracts with Wolverhampton and Sandwell Councils to improve social housing. It now employs 20 staff and around 100 contractors. Over the past five years it has achieved an eight-fold increase in turnover to over £7.5m and aims to reach £10m in the year ahead.

Building on strong foundations

Founded in 2020, BAX Construction provides refurbishment, maintenance and construction services. The company specialises in local authority and social housing work, including kitchens, bathrooms and roofing, alongside commercial refurbishments and urban regeneration projects.

Alongside its contracting activity, the company is also leading the regeneration of the former Express & Star building on Castle Street. As part of this transformation, it has created Fused, a wellbeing centre that houses 14 independent businesses, including a hair salon, tattoo and podcast studios, as well as its own café.

Benedict self-funded the business from launch, growing the company without external lending before accessing finance to support its next stage of development.

Benedict Anslow said: “Our growth has been exponential and this funding gives us the backing to keep pushing that further. Cash flow is everything. You can be as profitable as you want as a company, but you need the capital to grow. I’ve got strong support from FlexABL and the other lenders now too. Looking ahead, we could be doing £10 million next year.”

A collaborative funding approach

FlexABL’s relationship with BAX began through an invoice discounting facility introduced by Select Business Finance. As the business has grown and its working capital requirements increased, FlexABL has agreed to implement a much improved invoice discounting facility up from £300,000 to £500,000, alongside term lending from ART Business Loans, BCRS Business Loans and Frontier Development Capital.

Chris Jones, owner of Select Business Finance, commented: “The business had grown massively over the previous couple of years, and it was clear that a loan of that size wasn’t going to come from one lender. This is a fantastic example of collaboration. We couldn’t have done it without everyone involved talking to each other and having a real desire to make it work. This is one of the deals I’m most proud of in the 18 years since I started Select, and it’s fantastic to see what we achieved together.”

The collaboration is part of Midlands SME Finance, a network of experienced, regionally focused lenders working together to help Midlands businesses access the right finance to grow, thrive and achieve their ambitions. Through collaboration, lenders can combine their specialist expertise to create flexible finance solutions for businesses with more complex or evolving needs.

The funding was delivered by an all-female team from FlexABL, ART Business Loans, BCRS Business Loans and Frontier Development Capital, bringing together expertise from across the Midlands SME finance community.

Kirsty Ibbotson, Director at FlexABL, explained: “We’re not just an invoice finance lender behind a computer, we’re human-led. It’s about understanding a client’s business well enough to know the right finance solution for their needs. This was a great example of collaboration across the Midlands SME Finance community, working alongside ART Business Loans, BCRS Business Loans and Frontier Development Capital to put the right finance structure in place for Benedict and the business to thrive.”

Abbie Talbot, Investment Manager (MEIF) at Frontier Development Capital, shared: “Benedict is one of a new generation of talented entrepreneurs we are seeing in the West Midlands. He is passionate about making a difference within the community and has the vision to identify opportunities. The launch of Fused is bringing new life to Wolverhampton town centre. This funding will support the growth of his construction business and its ongoing work to upgrade the region’s social housing stock.”

Roz Haque, Business Lending Manager at ART Business Loans, added: “No one lender could have done the whole thing alone, so it was about bringing us all together to find the right solution for the client. It was a lovely business to work with, with a young, dynamic director and a company delivering real social impact. The numbers are only half the story. The other half is getting to know the people behind the business and doing the right thing to help them grow.”

Lynn Wyke, Senior Business Development Manager at BCRS Business Loans, noted: “We put a plan in place to help Benedict Anslow in the long term, taking a 12-month view of his cash flow position rather than just focusing on the next two or three months. His passion is undoubted and the company’s clearly got a great future ahead. From our perspective, it was about making sure the funding structure works for the business as it continues to grow.”

Commenting on the funding, David Tindall, Senior Investment Manager at the British Business Bank, said: “We are pleased to have supported BAX Construction, providing the funding that will help the business respond to demand and play an important role in delivering improvements to housing and commercial projects across the region.

“BAX Construction is a great example of the type of ambitious, growing business that the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II is designed to support. Benedict and the team have built a strong reputation within the region, and this funding package will provide the working capital needed to help them secure and deliver contracts, create new opportunities and continue their growth journey.”

Putting the funding to work

Benedict Anslow concluded: “I can’t speak highly enough of FlexABL and the other lenders involved. They’re accommodating and down to earth. If you were dealing with a large bank, you wouldn’t necessarily have that same connection with your lender.

“It gives us the flexibility to keep growing, and I’ve already referred other people to FlexABL because of the way they work. If you’d have told me three years ago I’d be in the position I am today, I’d have probably laughed. I’ve got 20 staff in the office and another 100 subcontractors working for me daily. It’s about relationships and maintaining them, always being honest, humble and accountable. I wouldn’t have been where I am today without FlexABL.”

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Media Contact:

Emilia Richards | Brand Development Manager, FlexABL

M: 07393 765 792

E: erichards@flexabl.co.uk