3TOP Aviation, a UK-based ethnic minority-led business (EMB) specializing in trading and refurbishing aircraft, has experienced vigorous growth on the back of strong domestic sales.
However, in September 2025, thanks to a loan guarantee from UK Export Finance (UKEF), the government’s export credit agency, 3TOP Aviation secured a £20 million trade-finance facility to expand further into overseas markets.
“Capital backing from UKEF aligns perfectly with our growth plans and aspirations,” said Chris Emechete, managing director of 3TOP Aviation, at a recent roundtable event sponsored by UKEF in London. “It helps strengthen our position and allows us to further exploit new opportunities around the world.”
EMBs like 3TOP Aviation contribute between £25 billion and £74 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) each year, and they employ more than three million people. Yet, for all their promise, many face challenges in reaching their growth potential, particularly in terms of exports.
Figures also suggest that many EMBs are reluctant to seek commercial loans to fund their expansion. According to a report by Lloyds Bank and the Black Business Network, just 12% of Black business owners turn to banks when seeking advice and support.
“Businesses led by ethnic minorities often lack the financial support to reach their export potential,” Tim Reid, chief executive of UKEF, told the UKEF event, which brought together dozens of EMB founders looking to expand abroad. “At UKEF, we want to change those expectations.”
Helping small UK companies become successful exporters makes them more viable over time. The Department for Business and Trade found that companies selling internationally tend to experience higher revenue growth, increased productivity, and greater overall resilience.
Bioma.me, a diagnostics and wellness clinic based in London, is a case in point. Cofounded by scientist Manjinder Virk, the company is focusing on expanding in the Middle East with help from UKEF.
“I’ve seen firsthand how UKEF can play a vital role in helping businesses like Bioma expand internationally,” said Virk. “Access to finance is often one of the biggest hurdles for EMBs. Private lenders tend to be cautious or require heavy securities, especially when a company lacks a robust export history.”
Sanjay Vallabh, trade finance advisory consultant at Vallabh Associates, told attendees that many small businesses looking for export finance also lack preparation for applying for finance.
“Some small businesses still don’t have clarity around what good looks like from a financing perspective, and that stems from gaps in knowledge,” he said. “If you are a technical person and don’t have the finance skills, mitigate that: bring someone in — whether that is your accountant, financial advisor, or someone else who can take you on that journey.”
Chibuikem Osuchukwu, a chartered aerospace engineer, left the aerospace industry to create GuDee, a startup that sells natural protein-supplement products made from Egusi seeds, a type of melon seed indigenous to West Africa.
The plan is to triple revenue via exports to the European Union, which accounts for 35% of the global market compared with just 8% in the UK. But, like many start-ups, finance has been a struggle. “We have a great product and ambitious goals, but we are considered high-risk because of our startup status, so it’s important to attend events like this.”
UKEF, whose mission is to advance prosperity by ensuring that no viable UK export fails due to a lack of finance or insurance, can support young companies like GuDee through a range of products and services.
Its General Export Facility provides a partial guarantee to a UK business’s bank to help them gain access to trade finance facilities. UKEF’s guarantee can unlock working capital to support business growth — without being tied to a specific export contract. This helps businesses cover the everyday costs linked to exporting, including buying materials and upgrading their premises.
Meanwhile, its Direct Lending Facility provides direct loans to overseas buyers to support the purchase of goods, services, or intangibles from the UK.
“It’s a cornerstone to our strategy to make sure that we are encouraging businesses from underrepresented regions and backgrounds to embark on and expand their export journey,” Reid told founders at the roundtable event. “Our commitment is that we’re going to support more businesses like yours, more businesses owned and run by ethnic minorities.”
Learn how UK Export Finance can help your business take the next step toward international growth.
This post was created by Insider Studios with UKEF.
