Bibby Financial Services (BFS) has announced the opening of its new East Midlands Business Centre in Leicester, including the expansion of its existing operations at Grove Park, Enderby.

This comes as figures from BFS’ SME Confidence Tracker reveal improving confidence in the region, with over half of East Midlands’ SMEs expecting sales growth and more than two-thirds planning to invest in the months ahead.

Sharon Wiltshire, managing director for Bibby Financial Services in the East Midlands, said: “The East Midlands is a hotbed of entrepreneurship and it’s evident that local businesses are confident about future prospects, which is fantastic.

“We have a proud history of supporting businesses in the region, and want to enhance our support for local SMEs even further.

“I’m delighted to announce the opening our new Business Centre in Leicester, which will provide us with the location and capability to help more businesses in the area to grow.”

Initially, the new Business Centre will see the creation of 10 roles with further job creation over the months ahead and it is hoped the expanded office will act as a hub for SMEs and business advisors alike.

The latest SME Confidence Tracker shows that 52% of East Midlands-businesses expect to see a growth in sales and 72% are planning to invest in recruitment, technology or new markets in the months leading to October. Businesses in the region recorded the second highest sales confidence in the country, behind SMEs in East Anglia.

Wiltshire added: “Right now, confidence among the region’s SMEs is high and I believe it is these growing, ambitious enterprises that will help to fuel further economic stability throughout the UK.

“We currently advance upwards of £40m in funding to businesses. The opening of our new Business Centre will undoubtedly enable us to support more SMEs throughout the region from our base here in Leicester.”