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Berkeley Trade Finance Ltd Announces Its Launch

September 21, 2026 berkeley Comments Off

Berkeley Trade Finance Ltd is pleased to announce its launch, having commenced trading in May 2019.

The company brings together co-founders Steven Pleace and Soheill Sarkoob, who have a combined experience of more than 45 years in providing effective and bespoke trade finance solutions to UK SMEs.

“It is a great pleasure to announce the launch of Berkeley Trade Finance and I am delighted that Berkeley has already commenced funding a number of new clients. We look forward to catching up with our many friends in the industry, as well as making new contacts, to discuss how Berkeley’s flexible trade finance solutions can help support businesses involved in international trade.”
– Steven Pleace, Co-Founder and Director

Supporting Businesses with Trade Finance

Berkeley can provide funding facilities of up to £1 million to start-ups, sole traders, established small companies and larger companies requiring additional support alongside their existing banking facilities.

The company’s funding options include:

Selective Invoice Finance

Funding can be provided against a client’s entire sales ledger or a single customer or invoice.

Berkeley can also fund FOB sales and export debtors.

Supplier Payment & Invoice Finance

Combined with a selective invoice finance facility, Berkeley can provide trade finance to pay domestic or international suppliers.

The facility can cover 100% of the supplier invoice, as well as associated freight, VAT and duty costs.

Stand-Alone Trade Finance

A facility for clients who require supply-side finance only.

This may include direct payments to suppliers and letters of credit for domestic or international transactions.

Supplier Undertaking

Berkeley can act as a guarantor, undertaking that a supplier will receive payment from the client before goods are released.

E-Commerce Funding

Berkeley can finance stock purchases from a client’s suppliers to support sales through an e-commerce site, concessions or retail outlets.

Capital Equipment Purchases

Berkeley can facilitate the purchase of large capital equipment by paying suppliers on behalf of clients.

Berkeley receives repayment from the end customer’s asset financier after delivery.

Supporting the Supply Chain

Alongside its funding facilities, Berkeley can assist clients with marine insurance, forex facilities and supply chain management.

This can cover areas including:

Quality control
Import and export documentation
Warehousing
Transportation

Through these services, Berkeley aims to provide clients with information and contacts to help manage supply chain risks.

Supporting UK Importers and Exporters

At the time of Berkeley’s launch, co-founder and director Soheill Sarkoob highlighted the implications of Brexit for SMEs involved in international trade.

“The current political deadlock over Brexit has significant implications for SMEs involved in international trade. Berkeley’s innovative and bespoke suite of trade finance products and services, combined with the extensive experience of the management team, can play a vital role in supporting U.K. importers and exporters during this crucial period and well beyond.”
– Steven Pleace, Co-Founder and Director