A Lancaster-based consultancy which strives to help businesses align to the United Nation’s (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), has secured a £50,000 investment from Rosebud, a product managed by GC Business Finance.

Based at the Environment Centre at Lancaster University, TBL Services advises businesses on how they can build the UN’s 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development into their strategies, supply chains and communications, allowing them to reduce risk and gain competitive advantage.

Established in September 2015, 193 world leaders agreed to the SDGs with the aim to end extreme poverty, inequality and climate change by 2030. According to the Better Business Better World report, achieving the Global Goals could create an extra 380 million jobs and generate up to USD$12tn a year in new market opportunities by 2030.

Research has proven that 78 per cent of people are more likely to buy from a business that supports the Global Goals, whilst 71 per cent of businesses are planning to support the cause. TBL Services is looking to tap into this growing trend and support everyday businesses, innovators and industry leaders in their quest to become more sustainable.

The funding provided by Rosebud will allow the company to take on a team of experienced consultants as subcontractors, allowing TBL’s founder, Colin Curtis, to focus on growing the business. Colin is also looking to use the funding to create more opportunities for young graduates from Lancaster University, who have previously supported the company’s research as part of their work experience.

GC Business Finance was appointed to deliver Lancashire County Council’s Rosebud Fund in July 2019. The £11.25m investment fund provides loans ranging from £10,000 to £300,000 to businesses across 12 local authority areas in the region, and is aiming to create 150 jobs per year across Lancashire.

Colin Curtis, founder of TBL Services, said: “Whilst bad business practices have had a damaging impact on the environment and indeed society over time, it’s not too late for business to become a force for positive change. We want to instil the UN’s 17 Global Goals into as many companies as possible and help drive the sustainability agenda, and the team at Rosebud have provided invaluable support to us in our mission.”

Jonathan Nelson, Senior Fund Manager at Rosebud, said: “TBL Services offer a unique proposition in that their advice is not just framed around profits and figures, it is much more than that. With this funding, they will be able to hire a team of experts, but also create opportunities for a new generation of sustainability conscious students at Lancaster University, and for those reasons we are proud to provide the funding the business needs to realise its ambitions.”

County councillor Michael Green, Lancashire County Council, said: “Rosebud plays a crucial role in supporting Lancashire’s most promising high-growth businesses. Where the banks may be unable to help, Rosebud can help accelerate growth and provide the capital needed to create new jobs and opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs in Lancashire. We’re excited to see how TBL Services will put the funding to use and we are confident it will have a huge impact on the UK’s sustainability transformation.”