Capitalise Appoints Wendy Smith as Head of Partnership Management

London, 21st July 2026

Capitalise, the UK based financial platform for small and medium-sized businesses, today announces the appointment of Wendy Smith as Head of Partnership Management. Wendy joins Capitalise from a role working alongside Innovate UK, where she spent several years supporting UK businesses in accessing finance and building the strategic partnerships needed to scale.

The appointment reflects Capitalise's continued investment in its partnership strategy. The platform, which already works with a network of over 2,000 accountants and advisors and over 130 lenders, is committed to deepening and broadening their ecosystem through which UK SMEs access finance, credit insights, and risk management tools. With more than 200,000 businesses on the platform, strategic partnerships with accountancy firms have always been central to Capitalise's growth.

Expanding the ecosystem for UK SMEs

Since it was founded, Capitalise's partnership model has put trusted advisors at the heart of how small businesses access finance. Wendy will lead the commercial relationships that extend this network, bringing new partners into the platform and deepening the value created for existing ones. Wendy's background at Experian and alongside Innovate UK Business Growth gives her a distinctive vantage point: years spent helping businesses find the right strategy, funding and the right partners at the right moment, insight that is directly relevant to Capitalise's mission.

"Partnerships are how Capitalise scales its impact. Every accountant, advisor, or lender we work with is a multiplier, they bring our tools to the businesses that need them most. Wendy's experience building strategic relationships, and her deep understanding of challenges faced by small businesses, makes her exactly the right person to lead this next chapter of our growth. We're delighted to welcome her to the team." Paul Surtees, CEO and Co-Founder, Capitalise

"I've spent years working with UK businesses, helping them find the funding and connections they need to grow. What struck me about Capitalise is how directly it addresses the gap I saw over and over: businesses that are creditworthy, ambitious, and ready, but don't have easy access to the right finance. I'm joining because I believe in what this platform can do, and I'm excited to help build the partnerships that extend its reach." Wendy Smith, Head of Partnership Management Capitalise

About Capitalise

Capitalise is a financial platform helping UK SMEs understand and control their business finance by providing business credit score insights and simplifying access to funding. Capitalise helps businesses build and monitor their credit scores and connect them to lenders. Capitalise partners with accountants, advisors, and lenders to ensure businesses have the tools and support they need to grow. Learn more at capitalise.com.

Media contact

Hacina Smaini

Communication@capitalise.com

020 3696 9700