Absolute appoints new Midlands manager

SPECIALIST business financier Absolute Invoice Finance has appointed James Cresswell as regional manager in its Midlands office.

The company said the appointment was in response to strong demand from the region’s SMEs for alternative funding solutions.

Mr Cresswell brings more than 12 years’ experience to the position and joins Absolute after nine years with Barclays Bank in the West Midlands. During his time there, he held roles within the invoice finance and corporate relationship management teams.

At Absolute, he will work with businesses from across the Midlands region and be responsible for developing relationships with potential clients and business advisors with a view to providing funding lines to growing businesses.

Mr Cresswell said: “Although the Midlands has been badly affected by the recession, it has a highly motivated and resilient workforce which will prove vital in driving forward economic recovery in the region.

“I look forward to supporting the region’s entrepreneurial businesses in achieving their growth ambitions by providing much-needed flexible funding solutions.”

Tony Smedley, managing director at Absolute Invoice Finance in the Midlands, said: “We are delighted to welcome James to the team. James is an experienced invoice financier and has the skills and contacts to further establish Absolute’s brand in the region.”

In his spare time, Mr Cresswell is an avid cyclist with a number of charity fundraisers to his name. He is currently planning his next adventure, which will consist of a 100-mile bike ride to raise money for a prostate cancer awareness charity.

Founded in 2000, Absolute was formerly owned by Cattles and known as Cattles Invoice Finance. It was acquired by financial services specialist private equity house, AnaCap Financial Partners, in September 2009.

In November 2009, Absolute went on to be acquired by another of AnaCap’s investee companies, Aldermore Bank, in a move that significantly extended Absolute’s product offering and pool of available funding.

Absolute has six fully operational regional offices across the UK – in Scotland, Yorkshire, the North West, Midlands, South West and South East.