Assetz makes raft of hires as it nears £1bn of lending

Marketplace lender Assetz Capital has bolstered its headcount with the appointment of five new Relationship Directors since the beginning of November as it approaches its £1bn lending milestone. 

In their new roles, the relationship directors will work with brokers and intermediaries to provide businesses and property developers with development finance, property investment finance, commercial mortgages and bridging loans.

Since establishing in 2013, Assetz Capital has lent over £900m to UK SMEs. Stuart Law, CEO of Assetz Capital said: "The appetite for growth capital is a positive sign for the local and national economy and shows businesses confidence is relatively high.”

Lee Francis has over 20 years’ experience in the corporate banking sector, having held senior positions at Santander and Clydesdale Bank as Relationship Director in the London city offices. He will cover London and the South East, working with the team to help businesses in the region secure funding.

Paul King will be joining the team in the Midlands with 35 years’ experience in the finance and property sector. Paul had worked for himself through his own financial and general consultancy business before joining Assetz, and prior to this, held senior positions at both RBS and JLL Debt Advisory.

Tony Kear joins with 34 years’ experience in banking, having held senior positions at RBS/Barclays as a Regional Head of Healthcare and most recently as Corporate Banking Manager at Handelsbanken. Tony will have a focus towards the South Wales and Bristol regions.

Serving businesses across Scotland will be Lucie Martin. Originally from Australia, Lucie has held various positions at some of the biggest firms in the country such as National Australia Bank, BNP Paribas and Westpac. Before joining Assetz, Lucie held the position of Head of Origination for Scotland and North East England for Allied Irish Bank.

Lastly, Jon Pike will be based in Exeter, focusing on developing the business in the South West and on a wider stage as a key member of the national care home team together with industry expert Tony, Lucie and other specialist colleagues across the UK. He brings with him 36 years’ experience in banking and joins from Santander, where he was Lead for Healthcare in the West.