Business lender’s chairman steps down

The long-standing chair of a West Midlands based alternative business lender has stepped down after fulfilling his term on the board.

Rob Hill has been a board member at BCRS Business Loans for the past nine years and stepped up to the role of chair six years ago.

During his time at the not-for-profit lender, BCRS says it has increased its lending by 333%, secured over £50m in external funding, more than doubled the staff team and generated an additional £298m of impact in the West Midlands economy by creating or safeguarding over 10,000 jobs.

Hill said: “I am delighted to have had the privilege to be chair at BCRS Business Loans during an incredibly exciting period of growth.

“But it’s not only growth and ambition that made BCRS such a brilliant organisation to be part of; it is also their commitment to providing access to finance to local small businesses in their time of need that stands out for me and the talented team behind the success.

“I would also like to thank my fellow board members for their hard work and dedication over the past nine years – it has been a pleasure to work alongside them.”

An accountant by profession and a past district president of the ICAEW, Hill has been a board director at engineering companies in the Black Country since 1985 and will be continuing as a non-executive director at Metallisation.

Chief executive of BCRS Business Loans, Stephen Deakin, added: “On behalf of everyone at BCRS Business Loans, I would like to thank Rob for his time, knowledge, energy and commitment as a non-executive director and chair.

“Rob’s support has been instrumental in helping us increase our lending to ensure no viable business in the West Midlands is left unsupported.

“I would like to wish Rob all the very best for the future and know that Rob will always be a close friend of BCRS Business Loans.”