Charles & Dean Announces Strategic Collaboration with FXE Technologies to Lead Embedded SME Finance in the UK

Charles & Dean Finance, one of the UK’s leading independent commercial finance brokerages, has announced a strategic collaboration with fintech FXE Technologies to license its Funding Xchange Marketplace, integrating the digital technology into the Charles & Dean business finance offering. The move marks a significant step forward in delivering faster, more accessible lending solutions for UK SMEs.

This partnership combines FXE Technologies’ market-leading Assisted Lending technology with Charles & Dean’s specialist brokering expertise. The result is a powerful new proposition for SMEs: the speed and ease of digital access to finance, enhanced by expert guidance and lender insight. Through seamless digital search, comparison and application capabilities, businesses benefit from structured, outcome-driven support across the full spectrum of lending needs, including working capital, asset finance and commercial property finance - ensuring not just faster funding, but the right funding.

“This collaboration is about unlocking better access to funding for small businesses,” said Tom Perkins, Co-Founder of Charles & Dean. “By embedding FXE’s technology into our proposition, we’re giving SMEs the tools to search, compare and apply for finance digitally - but with the added value of support from our specialist finance brokers. It’s a huge step forward in how businesses engage with finance.”

Katrin Herrling, CEO of FXE Technologies, added: “The Funding Xchange Marketplace was built to support underserved SMEs seeking finance and give them greater control of their funding journey. By delivering digital transformation across the SME lending ecosystem, businesses can access transparent lending options and make informed decisions faster than ever before. When looking for a partner, we needed someone trusted and respected in the market - Charles & Dean is that partner. By combining FXE’s technology with C&D’s expert brokering, we are delivering a solution that truly meets the needs of growing businesses.

Now integrated as a core digital marketplace capability within Charles & Dean’s proposition, Funding Xchange enhances the firm’s ability to offer a single destination for both tailored support and digital-first lending. The partnership helps drive access to funding and streamlines the path to funding for growing businesses.

The collaboration leverages FXE Technologies’ strong industry relationships, including its work with the British Business Bank, lender connectivity and innovative digital technology that helps deliver effective, fundable lending solutions. Combined with Charles & Dean’s trusted reputation in commercial finance, the partnership unites leaders in SME lending - offering a solution that is both innovative and deeply grounded in market expertise.