Crystal Specialist Finance appoints corporate relationship director

Crystal Specialist Finance (CSF) has further strengthened its sales function with the appointment of Satwant Bhandal to a newly created role as corporate relationship director – Midlands and North.

In this new role, Bhandal takes responsibility for developing long-term relationships with leading firms in the professional services sectors including solicitors, accountants, architects and insolvency practitioners.

Operating remotely but with access to the specialist distributor’s head office in Tamworth, he will report directly to group sales and marketing director, Jason Berry.

Bhandal joins from boutique funder, Fresh Thinking Capital where he held the position of regional sales director – Midlands. Before that he gained extensive experience in the finance markets with NatWest and Yorkshire Bank.

He said: “My challenge is to explore new avenues for Crystal across the professional services sectors with businesses who, up until this point, may not have been aware or truly understood how a specialist distributor can help them deliver financial solutions for their clients’ needs.

“In the current economic and social climate I feel the work we do here will be genuinely game changing. Everyone here is focussed on realising the best client outcome whatever the circumstances, and coming from a high street banking background it is refreshing to see such market leading declarations.”

Berry added: “Creating a corporate sales channel, which is recognised as best-in-class for delivering amazing customer outcomes, is a firm objective for us and I have no doubt that Sat can contribute to our ambitious plans. I look forward to building a framework which allows his undoubted talent to flourish.”

Crystal Specialist Finance works with independent financial advisors, financial intermediaries, networks and professional service sectors across the whole of the UK. The business has access to over 100 lenders which includes exclusive product lines and lenders who have extremely limited distribution.

Reward Finance Group expands team as business continues to grow

Reward Finance Group has appointed experienced funder, Simon Micklethwaite, as business development director for Yorkshire and the North East region.

He joins the alternative finance provider with over two decades experience within the sector. Initially he spent more than 18 years in commercial banking with HSBC, prior to joining property lender, Roma Finance.

Over the years he has developed an extensive network of finance brokers and introducers nationwide, which will be invaluable to Reward as it continues to grow its presence across the UK.

Welcoming Simon to the team, Reward’s managing director for Yorkshire and the North East, Gemma Wright, said,

“We are delighted that Simon is joining our ever-growing team. He joins us at the perfect time as the ‘green shoots’ are well and truly showing here at Reward as we return to the fast pace we all enjoy.

“With his in-depth knowledge of the market, and his contacts within the industry, he is able to hit the ground running, which is essential, as the number of deals we are being introduced to and completing are now on a par with those prior to lockdown.”

Speaking about his new role, Simon said,

“I’d heard great things about Reward from both introducers and other asset-based lenders, not only about the individuals within the company but also about the way they do business.

“When your role is business development you need to work with a company that wants to do deals. Reward has a great reputation for doing just that, as it is has the flexibility to be able to create different funding solutions dependant on the client’s needs.

“In addition, the decision-making process is straight forward, enabling decisions to be made quickly. I am therefore looking forward to working closely with the team to help SMEs across the region and the UK to regroup and grow during these difficult times.”

Impressive round of promotions at Leonard Curtis

Leonard Curtis Business Solutions Group has promoted 15 people to new roles from within the company as it continues to reward talent and strengthen its operations.

The ambitious firm confirmed that four of the 15 were promotions to director level, including Paula Castle, who has been made brand and communications director and Jennifer Moore who takes up a director position within Leonard Curtis Legal for the first time.

Amy Mehers has become a director within the personal insolvency team in Bury and Andy John takes up his director post as head of the Group’s Hertfordshire office.

Elsewhere, specialist professionals across the Group’s offices and divisions have been recognised, including Ric Miller who becomes senior manager in debt advisory, Vicky Pitts who moves to associate director in the Group-wide compliance team, lawyer Deborah Hooton who becomes senior associate at Leonard Curtis Legal and Alana Mills, who has been promoted to senior business development manager.

In a number of other moves Taibah Rehman has been made a senior solicitor in the legal team, Anthony Bailey takes on more responsibility in the Liverpool office as manager, Emma Edgar and Laura Hutchinson are both promoted in Bury to assistant manager and Supervisor respectively, Lucy Abbott becomes assistant manager in Birmingham, Alnur Miah takes up a supervisor role in Preston and Amy Nelson has been promoted to senior administrator in Leeds.

Group director Daniel Booth said: “We recognise that the greatest asset in our business is our employees. As 2020 marks our 25th year in business we’re delighted to report record performances in the last 12 months and it’s our team of 240 people across our 19 offices we have to thank for this.

“On behalf of the business, we would like to say congratulations on those who have earned well-deserved promotions and wish them all best for the future.”

HR director Nicky Mitchell added: “We will continue to invest in supporting, training and developing talent to ensure we provide the best advice and services to our growing client base. We’re also increasing opportunities for those entering the professional services sector with more openings for graduates and apprentices.”

Optimum Finance appoints three new industry heavyweights

Bristol and London-based invoice finance provider and fintech firm Optimum Finance has appointed three industry experts to bolster its offering.

The company welcomes James John as its new head of risk, Rebecca Salt as regional sales director for the Midlands and Dany Boyle as its new partnerships manager.

The new hires follow on from a successful year of growth in 2019, where it funded over £100m worth of invoices and reported a growth in clientele of 56%. Alongside its successful year the finance company has made strategic senior appointments and rolled out vital support packages for SMEs up and down the country during the pandemic.

James John joins Optimum finance with 23 years’ experience. He started off as an auditor for Lombard NatWest Commercial Services (LNCS), who were, at that time, the market leader in invoice discounting. Having spent many years in the finance industry, challenging himself by taking on different roles, James is well-versed in auditing, underwriting, and risk management – including managing distressed debt, fraud and turnaround, insolvency, recoveries, new business origination and compliance.

In his role at Optimum, James will be overseeing new business underwriting and risk management of Optimum’s portfolio as well as heading up clients in collect-out and money laundering reporting (MLR).

When asked about his role at Optimum, James said: “Joining the Optimum Finance team has been a joy. I have been with the company seven weeks now and I am starting to sink my teeth into projects and the company’s systems and portfolio.

“As time goes on, I am really looking forward to getting to know our clients and share my knowledge and expertise with the team as well as be the sanction point for the live portfolio we have here at Optimum.”

With experience in the UK and USA factoring market, Rebecca Salt is no stranger to working with global businesses to provide better funding options. Having worked for Bibby UK and Bibby US (Chicago) over the past four years, her industry knowledge and ambition to help SMEs made her the perfect candidate for Optimum Finance’s new regional sales director – Midlands.

Rebecca commented: “Given the current circumstances it has never been more important for SMEs to consider invoice finance and support their financial health as much as they can. I am proud to say I have been an integral part of supporting a business’ decision to move to a more secure finance option.”

She continued: “My day-to-day at Optimum will never be the same and I can’t wait for that. It already provides financial security to so many SMEs based in the UK and I know I will strengthen its position within the midlands region through my extensive understanding in how to build relationships with introducers.”

Partnerships manager, Dany Boyle, worked at Ultimate Finance for over seven years before joining the Optimum team. He originally worked in the client relations department and then moving to credit control, relationship management and then project management where he was responsible for all external partnerships with introducers, brokers, and funding platforms.

Commenting on his role at Optimum Finance, Dany said: “Optimum Finance is an industry leader in what it does, and I am thrilled to have been given the opportunity to join the team as its new partnerships manager. Having overseen and been part of large partnerships deals throughout my time at Ultimate Finance I know I will be able to enhance Optimum’s already wide offering to introducers, brokers and other funding platforms if needed.”

Scott Braybrook, Interim CEO at Optimum Finance said: “We are pleased to welcome James, Rebecca and Dany to the team. All three bring unique skills and expertise and I am looking forward to seeing them thrive with us at Optimum Finance.

“Their talent is second-to-none and all three of them have already become such strong members of the team and are adding value in their respective areas of business.”

Aldermore appoints new head of sales support for asset finance

Aldermore bank has appointed Rania Pugh as its new head of sales support for asset finance.

Rania has over 20 years’ experience in the asset finance sector, most recently working at Hitachi Capital, the finance solutions provider, as a project model office manager. She has previously spent over six years at Aldermore, including as head of business support and as a sales support manager for asset finance.

In her new role, Rania will help strengthen Aldermore’s asset finance offering and relationship with the broker community.

Lee Rhodes, commercial director for asset finance at Aldermore, said: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with Rania again. Rania’s experience and understanding of the asset finance industry will once again be invaluable to Aldermore. Rania is passionate about our brokers and people. I am excited to see Rania and her team develop and enhance our broker experience.”

Rania Pugh, head of sales support at Aldermore, said: “Having worked with Aldermore in the past for over six years, I’m very excited to be starting my new role. Working closely with my team, we will look for more ways to add value and provide exceptional service to our broker community.”

Rania is an active member of the Leasing Foundation and holds an MBA from the University of Surrey.

Leumi UK appoints Roy Shilo as head of commercial finance

London: Multi-specialist bank Leumi UK has appointed Roy Shilo as head of commercial finance.

With over 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry, Roy has held positions at both Bank Leumi USA and Bank Leumi Israel, before joining Leumi UK in July 2019.

In his new role, Roy will lead Leumi UK’s commercial finance activity – formerly known as International, Commercial and Hi-tech Finance (ICH) – which encompasses trade finance services as well as bespoke products that address the day-to-day banking needs of SME customers.

He will be responsible for developing the business in line with the bank’s growth strategy, while maintaining its reputation for long-lasting and productive client relationships.

Commenting on the appointment, Andy Mallin, chief business officer at Leumi UK, says: “Roy has been with us for just over a year and in that time he has made a big impression as a true champion of the customer. His enthusiasm when it comes to seeking out new opportunities with clients is unparalleled and under his leadership we will further our reach in both the Israeli and UK markets. His energy and commitment will undoubtedly ensure the success of the newly formed commercial finance activity.”

Roy adds: “I am immensely proud to be leading Leumi UK’s commercial finance team and look forward to consolidating this innovative offering for our customers. As ever, we remain dedicated to finding tailor-made solutions that support their business needs as they strive to achieve their growth potential.”

Berry named group sales and marketing director at Crystal Specialist Finance

Berry, who initially joined the business as interim group sales director in January 2020, accepted the permanent, expanded role and a place on the Executive Team having helped steer the company through the recent challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic.

In his new role he will continue to lead the CSF field and telephone sales teams plus take responsibility for distribution and sales strategy. He will also take on the company’s established marketing function where he will work alongside experienced industry consultant, Paul Hunt.

Berry previously held the role of director of sales at fintech insurance specialist Uinsure from 2012 to 2019, before which he led the sales channel for Platform Homeloans.

He said: “This year has been a tale of two halves, with sales records set in Q1 followed by survival and pivot in Q2. During this time I have been incredibly impressed with Crystal’s leadership team and observed thoughtful and well-considered decision making throughout, making it an easy decision to take a permanent, expanded role.

“Enormous potential exists and I certainly look forward to using my experience to ensure ambitious plans are achieved. Technology will play a big part in our future delivery with enhancements soon available which make submitting cases easier and processing quicker. I look forward to working closely with great people and having some fun along the way.”

Jo Breeden, managing director at CSF added: “Getting Jason to join Crystal back in January was a real coup, and having him on board has undoubtedly helped during a tricky year of trading.

“I am passionate that we deliver brilliant customer outcomes every time and also ensure that our broker partners have an engagement which encourages them to return time after time. Jason will play a huge part shaping our proposition and drive the business to new heights.”

A multi award-winning specialist distributor, CSF operates across six core divisions: bridging, buy-to-let, commercial, development finance, second charge loans and specialist residential.

The business works with brokers across the whole of the UK, with the company having access to over 100 lenders, including exclusive product lines and lenders who have an extremely limited distribution.