Vincenzo Scalzone has been appointed Head of Supplier Sales at Shire Leasing. Previously he was responsible for running CIT’s French business.

Mark Picken, managing director of Shire Leasing said: “We are delighted to welcome Vincenzo into our business at this exciting time in Shire’s development. He has significant experience in vendor programmes and partnerships which we expect him to bring to bear in our new business originations”.

Speaking about his appointment, Scalzone added: “I am honoured to join the recognised and respected brand that is Shire Leasing and contribute to the ambitious growth agenda for the coming years.

“Our strategy is to become the preferred finance partner for UK SMEs putting them and our vendors at the center of all that we do. I am confident that our strong, experienced sales capabilities coupled with our robust value proposition will allow us to promote both short- and long-term growth by winning new vendor partners. In such a positive economic environment there is considerable scope to extend our sales volumes across the UK.”

Picken added: “Shire’s strategic intent is to grow its own book dramatically over the coming years and the timing of this fits perfectly with the improvements in the economy.

“It is testament to Shire specifically, its reach and its ability to serve UK SMEs generally, that Vincenzo has joined us and the executive board and I are looking forward to supporting him in his endeavours.”

Based in Tamworth, UK, and employing 190 people from across the midlands, Shire Leasing  provides business support to over 50,000 SMEs across the UK, aiming to prepare them for future growth. Its commitment to delivering accessible and flexible finance and funding services to businesses has seen many innovations and developments amongst Shire’s services. Master Broker represents the latest of these innovations, and sees Shire launch itself as the UK’s first broker to broker lender – something which the industry has been reluctant to support in the past.