Lloyds bolsters SME support with new appointments

LLOYDS Bank has strengthened its services to SMEs in the West Midlands with the appointment of a new area director for its Commercial Finance team.

The bank said the appointment reflected increased demand for asset based finance products.

Tim Hanley has worked at Lloyds Bank for 35 years, and takes up his new role after working with SMEs in the Midlands and Oxford for the past 15 years. He will oversee a team of five regional managers, which includes two new appointments, Chloe Alcock and Rob Horton.
 
Ms Alcock brings 12 years’ industry experience to the role, and will work with businesses with a turnover up to £10m across areas such as Wolverhampton, Lichfield, Staffordshire and Nuneaton. Horton will use his 28 years’ experience to support firms in Birmingham and Solihull with a turnover between £10m and £25m.
 
The Commercial Finance team works closely with firms to support their growth ambitions with products such as invoice finance, which enables a business to borrow against the value of its unpaid invoices, improving its cashflow and generating working capital. The bank also offers asset based lending to enable asset rich firms to access finance quickly, in order to take advantage of expansion opportunities.
 
Commenting on the new team, Hanley said: “Rob has worked with Commercial Finance products, and particularly invoice finance, for 22 years, and brings a wealth of experience to the team, along with Chloe, who knows the local market extremely well.
 
“Together our focus is on delivering tailored funding solutions to help businesses in the West Midlands achieve their long-term growth ambitions. The flexibility of Commercial Finance products means they are increasingly attractive for local businesses, and we’re committed to supporting economic growth in the region.”
 

Smith Cooper goes West for new VAT head

ACCOUNTANTS and business advisory firm Smith Cooper has announced the appointment of Gavin West as its new Head of VAT and Indirect Taxes.
 
West joins from a ‘Big 4’ firm and brings with him significant advisory experience from a highly successful career. He has advised on VAT and indirect tax issues for over 17 years and has particular expertise within the leisure and gaming industry.
 
Andrew Delve, Managing Partner of Smith Cooper, said the appointment would be crucial in the firm’s plans for growth.
 
He said: “On behalf of Smith Cooper, I am delighted that Gavin has joined our already highly experienced and successful team. He has a great track record in the market and will significantly add to the specialist advice we offer our clients.”
 

HB&O extends global reach with new agreement

 
HARRISON Beale & Owen has joined worldwide professional association DFK International to extend its global reach.

DFK International is among the top ten accountancy associations in the world with over 400 offices in more than 90 countries.

HB&O is one of the largest firms of accountants and business advisers in the Coventry and Warwickshire region with more than 85 staff including 10 directors at offices in Coventry and Leamington.

Phil Ewing (pictured left), a director of HB&O, said: “We are extremely pleased to be joining DFK International as it is a high-quality association and will help to serve our clients with both international and national business interests.

“We see this as very much part of our continuing development and are looking forward to building professional relationships with like-minded member firms around the world leading to mutually beneficial business referrals.”

Bob Law (pictured right), chair of DFK UK & Ireland, said: “We are delighted that HB&O is joining us as it is a very well-established, respected and progressive firm in the Midlands that shares our highly-focused service levels.”