Exporting Without the Guesswork

UKEF’s Amy Clarke explains export finance, risks, and SME support.

By Patricia Cullen | May 06, 2026

UK Export Finance

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From hidden risks to funding gaps, most UK businesses hesitate at the border. Amy Clarke, Head of Short Term Business at UK Export Finance explains how SMEs can unlock global growth with the right backing.

For many UK SMEs, exporting feels less like an opportunity and more like a maze – full of unknown risks, complex financing, and decisions that carry real financial weight. Yet behind the scenes, a government-backed system is working to make international trade more accessible than most founders realise. Amy Clarke, Head of Short Term Business at UK Export Finance (UKEF), sits at the centre of that effort – helping businesses navigate everything from cashflow constraints to geopolitical uncertainty. In this conversation, she breaks down where first-time exporters should start, the mistakes that can quietly derail growth, and why preparing early can be the difference between winning and losing overseas contracts.

Many UK SMEs want to export but aren’t sure where to start. What UKEF tools or programmes are most helpful for first-time exporters?
If you don’t know where to start, reach out to your local Export Finance Manager at UKEF. They are local points of contact for exporters and businesses with export potential and can provide information on payment methods and risks, the types of finance available, trade finance (pre and post-export), credit insurance, foreign exchange risks. Speaking to an Export Finance Manager will help you get a better understanding of your export finance requirements and, where possible, they’ll identify an appropriate solution to support your export transactions.

Exporting comes with hidden risks. What are the most common pitfalls UK businesses face, and how can UKEF help them navigate these safely?
SMEs should pay close attention to political and economic stability in target markets, currency fluctuations and potential supply chain disruptions. It’s also important to understand the regulatory environment and any trade barriers that may apply. That said, risk shouldn’t be a reason to avoid exporting. UKEF’s export insurance products are specifically designed to protect businesses against certain risks. We encourage SMEs to take a balanced view by assessing the risks, but also recognising the opportunities that international trade can bring.

Access to finance is often a barrier to scaling abroad. How does UKEF help SMEs secure funding or guarantees to compete confidently in international markets?
Access to finance can be a genuine barrier for small businesses as cashflow and certainty of funds is needed in order to win overseas contracts. UKEF products are designed to work alongside commercial lenders to unlock finance opportunities that might otherwise be unavailable. The key is encouraging businesses to have the conversation early to determine which of our products may work best for their particular circumstances. For SMEs, our most relevant products include:

· Small Export Builder – allows businesses to increase their credit insurance limit incrementally from an initial credit limit of up to £25,000, up to a maximum credit limit of £100,000.

· General Export Facility – provides working capital support to help SMEs fulfil export contracts.

· Export Insurance Policy – protects businesses against the risk of not being paid by overseas buyers, covering both commercial and political risks.

· Bond Support Scheme – helps businesses that need to provide contract bonds to overseas buyers by providing a government-backed guarantee to their bank, freeing up working capital.

· We’ve also recently announced an £11bn lending package with the five biggest banks to support small business growth, particularly for small and mid-sized enterprises.

These products and many others are designed to be accessible, and we work directly with businesses and their banks to structure support that fits their individual needs.

Beyond finance, what practical guidance or resources does UKEF provide to help businesses prepare operationally and strategically for export success?
Start the conversation early. Get in touch with UKEF or your local export support network before you need finance in place. Many businesses only think about export finance when they’ve already won a contract and need to move quickly, but by exploring your options ahead of time, you’ll be better prepared to act when opportunities arise.

Looking ahead, what emerging trends or opportunities should UK businesses be preparing for in international markets over the next 3–5 years, and how is UKEF evolving to support them?
The world is a complex place and part of our role is to help simplify it for exporters. In terms of opportunities, we’re seeing sustained interest in established markets such as Europe, while at the same time, there’s growing interest in international markets such as Africa, where infrastructure investment and sustainable economic growth are creating new opportunities for UK exporters. The government set out which sectors it thinks will deliver the most growth in the industrial strategy last year. The key industries are.