Pivot appoints head of credit
Chris has worked in banking and property since 2005, and has considerable experience in portfolio management, originations, debt recovery, policy creation, and governance.
His career has included roles at RBS, Williams & Glyn, and Secure Trust Bank, where he spent almost seven years in total, first as Head of the Real Estate Finance Business in London and then Head of Credit Risk, managing a portfolio of circa £1.3bn.
In the last 12 months, Pivot has improved its funding capacity and focused on growing the team with the absolute best talent in the market. Chris not only brings the necessary expertise but has a culture-forward approach to leadership and a positive outlook to doing deals and supporting SMEs.
“Pivot is a refreshing outfit that aligns well with my attitude to the role as well as the importance of empowering our credit managers,” he comments.
“My vision is to instil confidence in the Pivot team so that they can convey our offering in a way that is clear and compelling to our borrowers.
“Robust governance feeds into this, but so does an agile policy that is easy to interpret and says what we do and, crucially, what we don’t do.”
Chris will add value to the Pivot’s day-to-day dealings with brokers and borrowers, providing the necessary information that saves time and enables quick, confident communication.
Pivot’s use of technology also backs this approach. The lender uses a range of sources to compile intel on the project and asset in question, as well as insights into values and the wider market to deliver a holistic view on deal viability.
Chris’s background at Secure Trust Bank—where he has led large teams and due diligence projects as well as building credit risk frameworks, and agile policy and appetite—will play a significant role in Pivot’s ongoing commitment to being a true partner to brokers and borrowers.
“My goal is to contribute to Pivot’s ongoing trajectory of success, alongside Shahil [Kotecha, CEO] whose leadership and transparency makes this an aspirational outfit to be a part of,” Chris explains.
Pivot goes into 2025 with an exceptionally strong pipeline of business across the UK. The lender has completed close to £250m in transactions to date, in development and short-term funding solutions.
“Evolving Pivot over the course of the last 12 months has been such an exciting journey,” says Shahil.
“I can say, without a doubt, that we have assembled a team of extremely capable, experienced people that are going to drive us towards our goals in 2025 and beyond.
“Chris’s appointment bolsters the management team and improves our overall ability to remain structured but nimble and open to ideas and fresh approaches—something which just makes sense to our borrowers, whose circumstances are rarely straightforward.”
In January 2024, Pivot secured a £70m funding commitment from Foresight Group, providing senior debt, and majority stakeholder Quilam Capital, which provides junior capital and equity.
