Secure Trust bolsters SME services with new appointments

SOLIHULL-based Secure Trust Bank has announced the appointment of Graham Drew as Managing Director of Asset Finance.

The appointment comes as the firm’s Business and Commercial division looks to strengthen its offering to UK SMEs. He is joined by Arthur Burton, who has been appointed as Risk Director for Asset Finance.  
 
The appointments follow the launch of the new Asset Finance division, which is designed to further enhance Secure Trust Bank’s Business and Commercial services.

Drew brings more than 22 years’ experience in finance and sales, with senior roles at Shawbrook Bank, GE Capital Solutions, De Lage Landen International and Credit Suisse.
 
Burton previously held senior positions at Shire Leasing, Close Business Finance, ING Lease UK and EFT Finance. In total he has over 25 years’ experience in the industry.
 
Paul Marston, managing director of Business and Commercial at Secure Trust Bank, said: “It’s great to welcome both Graham and Arthur on board following the launch of our Asset Finance arm. They bring with them extensive experience and unrivalled knowledge of the marketplace, which will be instrumental in growing the business during the coming months.”
 

Cambridge & Counties targets Midlands growth with new addition

CHALLENGER bank Cambridge & Counties Bank is targeting growth in its Midlands heartlands, hiring a new member and promoting another in its business development team for the East & West Midlands and East England.

At its Leicester headquarters, the bank has welcomed Neil Reddington as a senior business development manager.

Reddington (pictured) joins from Yorkshire Bank, where he had more than 30 years of experience in SME banking.

He will work alongside the newly promoted Adam Jolley, now business development manager after nearly three successful years at Cambridge & Counties since joining soon after its launch in 2012.

Mike Kirsopp, CEO, Cambridge & Counties, said: “Our promotions and additions are designed to give our offices around the country the capability to increase business whilst preserving the excellent, personal service our clients enjoy.

“We continue to hire at all levels and to promote the talent we have as we begin to tap into the demand we are finding in all regions for our products and service.”

Latest promotions at Mazars

MAZARS has announced 11 promotions across its central region offices in Birmingham, Nottingham, Leicester and Milton Keynes.

In Birmingham, Lee Patrick has been promoted to manager in the audit team, Timothy Thackaberry to the senior manager in forensic investigation services, Matthew Byers to manager in the internal audit team, and Adam Webb to assistant manager in the financial planning division.

Birmingham office managing partner Lee Cartwright (pictured) said: “Mazars is a firm which recognises and nurtures talent.

“Our growth in the West Midlands has reflected the national success of the firm and Birmingham is now a £12m revenue per year office.

“This has seen our headcount in the city increase from 90 to 130.”

Ian Pickford, Mazars’ central region managing partner, said: “We are constantly looking to the future and I congratulate all of the staff who have been promoted.

“In the same breath though, as a national firm, we are already looking ahead to the autumn and seeking applications from school leavers and graduates to support our next phase of growth.”