National financial intermediary opens Edinburgh office and makes two senior hires
Financial intermediary MAF Finance Group (MAF), which works across the UK, has established a base in Edinburgh to strengthen its presence in Scotland. The business has also appointed experienced lending specialists Nick Elder and Deborah Louden to head up its Scottish operation.
Created in 2009 and now part of Begbies Traynor Group plc, MAF spans the complete financial market, working to support SMEs and larger corporates to source funding across a range of products. Comprising a 50-strong team of specialist bankers and asset financiers, it provides expertise in asset finance, invoice finance, property finance, healthcare, renewables, vehicle fleets and wider debt structuring.
Based in the centre of Edinburgh at offices in Fountainbridge, MAF will offer a full range of services with a particular focus on healthcare, renewables, education and asset finance.
Nick joins MAF as regional director for Scotland, supported by Deborah who takes up the role of relationship director. The pair have worked together for many years having previously held positions with leading banks before setting up their own Edinburgh-based business, Ora Care Solutions, four years ago. The business provided a range of services, including the development of high-quality assets across the UK, primarily in the care sector where they have assisted in the delivery of over a dozen new care assets across the UK, as well as supporting their clients, growth ambitions.
Having spent almost 20 years in banking and finance, Nick has a wealth of experience including as head of regional healthcare for Santander, and working for RBS. Deborah also has specialist knowledge of lending in the healthcare sector – she spent over seven years as a relationship manager in healthcare with Santander, and has also held positions with Clydesdale Bank and RBS.
Dave Chapman, managing director of MAF, said: “Over the last 14 years, demand for our specialist lending services has come from all parts of the UK, and we were keen to find the right people to build our presence in Scotland. With an impressive track record as asset financiers and extensive experience in the healthcare, education and renewables sectors, Nick and Deborah are a great fit for us. They are also well-known within the industry and share our commitment to combining their lending skills with specialist sector insight in order to provide the best funding options for clients from across the entire lending arena.
“Working closely with our sector specialists across the MAF group, we aim to provide the same great service and wide range of asset finance support in Scotland. This investment is a further demonstration of our commitment to growing our business here.”
Nick comments: “Having worked in banking and finance in Scotland for the last 17 years, I’m keen to raise awareness of the benefits of broker-led deals and, by joining a large, well-established financial intermediary like MAF, we will be in a stronger position to look market-wide for the best lending options as well as having greater resources to support clients by structuring and managing deals. It also gives us the ability to expand our offering and improve the lending solutions we can provide, for example, by partnering with MAF’s specialists in vehicle and asset management, commercial insurance, and renewables, we can bring greater sector expertise, and deliver better solutions for our clients across a wider range of needs.”
Deborah adds: “As we already know many of the MAF team, we were confident that they were good people who shared our values and customer-centric approach. Like us, they are committed to doing the best job for clients in a responsible way.”
