Ultimate Finance Group has announced four new senior appointments across the business, further strengthening its leadership team following a record year of growth in 2016.
New hires include sector specialist Steve Noble (pictured above), who takes the role of chief operating officer (COO).
Noble comes with over two decades of experience in the financial services arena, having held senior roles at high street banks (Royal Bank of Scotland) and challenger organisations (Aldermore Bank), and is the latest addition to the executive team.
Ron Robson, CEO at Ultimate Finance (pictured below), commented: “Steve has a tremendously varied base of experience, spanning risk, operations, relationships management and sales.
“His understanding of the financing needs of SMEs is unrivalled. Bringing such a highly-respected expert on board is a real coup for Ultimate and we are delighted to welcome him to the team.”
Noble commented: “I’ve watched Ultimate Finance with great interest over the past 12 months.
“In a crowded market, they have been making waves with their innovative approach to technology, product development and customer services to support SMEs and focus on the good a strong funding provider can do. It’s this fresh take that has contributed to their rapid growth and market-leading position and makes it such an exciting move for me.”
The independent funding provider has reported exceptional growth in the past 12 months, following significant investment in its service offering, including an expansion of its national footprint with new offices in Sheffield, Edinburgh and Manchester, with a 30% increase in headcount.
Investing in the best people across the country is a top priority for the company which has also hired industry stalwart Vince Tovey to head up its national trade finance and northern regional sales teams, further demonstrating the company’s commitment to supporting UK SMEs following a period of business uncertainty and market unease, post-Brexit.
The sales team will be further bolstered with the two further additions. Rob Mercer joins from Ezbob, and takes the role of senior regional director for Ashley Finance, the group’s specialist lending arm, consolidating Ashley’s sales teams into one customer focussed operation.
Jenna Forbes (pictured below) leaves GE Capital to manage the direct sales & telemarketing team with a remit to expand the group’s offering in this important area. Both will report into group sales director, Richard Waldman.
Waldman commented: “As we look towards a bright 2017, we are delighted to welcome both Jenna and Rob to the team. Each has a wealth of experience in their respective roles, bringing unique insight and tenacity to the wider team and ensuring that the group’s sales teams continue to make a positive impact on the funding choices available to Britain’s SMEs.”
After its record year with a 23% increase in lending and 16% increase in client base, Ultimate Finance, backed by the Tavistock Group, has committed to further invest in the SME market by making new funds available to businesses up and down the country.
