Grant Funding Readiness

I'm Orias, an independent business adviser and commercial finance specialist with 15 years of senior banking experience spanning start-up, SME, and corporate banking, including a decade in leadership roles at one of the UK's leading banks. During my banking career I led more than six different teams comprising almost 100 bankers, working directly with businesses at every stage — from pre-start entrepreneurs taking their first steps into self-employment through to established mid-corporate companies pursuing ambitious growth strategies. I worked across the full spectrum of business banking, developing deep expertise in business planning, cash flow management, access to finance, commercial strategy, credit risk, and investor readiness. I was also sent on extensive business coaching programmes throughout my career and coached almost 100 banking professionals, developing expert coaching skills that I now apply directly to the businesses and individuals I work with. Having sat on both sides of the lending table — as the person making the funding decision and now as an independent adviser helping businesses access finance — I bring a perspective that most business advisers simply cannot offer. I know exactly what banks, investors, and grant makers look for before they say yes. And I know what causes promising businesses to be declined, even when the underlying opportunity is strong. I now run two businesses: IAP Advisory is a commercial finance advisory practice helping businesses, social enterprises, charities, and community organisations across the UK become genuinely finance-ready. I work with clients on business planning, cash flow forecasting, funding strategy, access to grants and commercial lending, investor readiness, and the commercial challenges of growing a business sustainably. I also run a free weekly Access to Finance session every Wednesday on Zoom — open to any business owner who wants straight answers on funding, cash flow, and what lenders actually look for. Numbers 1st is an outsourced finance team for growing businesses — providing real-time bookkeeping on Xero, monthly management reporting, quarterly finance reviews, and funding readiness support. It is the finance team most growing businesses cannot yet afford to hire, built by someone who spent 15 years deciding whether businesses like yours got funded. Everything is delivered at a flat monthly fee with no surprises. Who I work with: Pre-start and early-stage entrepreneurs exploring self-employment Trading SMEs seeking growth finance or looking to scale Business owners who want to understand their numbers in real time Social enterprises, charities, and CICs seeking grant funding Businesses preparing for investment, acquisition, or exit What I can help you with: Business planning and financial modelling Cash flow forecasting and management Access to finance — grants, loans, invoice finance, asset finance, and commercial mortgages Investor and lender readiness Bookkeeping and management reporting on Xero Business growth strategy and commercial challenge One-to-one business coaching and mentoring I offer a free one-hour discovery call to any business owner looking for straight, practical advice. No jargon, no sales pitch — just an honest conversation about where you are and what might help.