It aims to deepen regional ties and meet rising SME funding demand
Specialist asset-based lender Ultimate Finance has expanded its team in northern England as part of its strategy to become the funding partner of choice for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Recent appointments include Sarah Harrison as regional director for the North West and Steve Armstrong as an underwriter dedicated to the northern region.
Harrison brings over 20 years of experience in financial services, with a specialised focus on supporting SMEs across the UK. Before joining Ultimate Finance, she served as corporate sales manager at Cynergy Business Finance. Prior to that, she spent more than 17 years at Bibby Financial Services, where she held various roles focused on providing tailored financial solutions to SMEs.
Armstrong was a business finance director at Kudos Commercial Finance prior to joining Ultimate Finance. Earlier in his career, he held multiple roles at Bibby Financial Services, including regional manager for construction finance. His finance career began at Lloyds Bank Commercial Finance, where he worked as an account manager and credit analyst.
With the new additions, Ultimate Finance said it aims to increase access to its funding solutions in the North and build stronger ties with local business communities.
We have proudly strengthened our Northern team with the appointments of Michael Beer as Sales Director, Sarah Harrison as Regional Director and Steve Armstrong as Underwriter. Find out more in our latest press release: https://t.co/45SEawr1dY
— Ultimate Finance (@UltimateFinance) November 12, 2024
Earlier this year, the lender promoted Michael Beer (pictured) to sales director for the North. Beer, who has been with the company for a decade, has since focused on gathering insights from introducers and clients to enhance the company’s regional services.
“The North has a vibrant business finance community, and I’ve been spending time gathering feedback from introducers on what they need from Ultimate Finance,” Beer said. “Our regional service model allows us to deliver exceptional customer service and build strong relationships. My initial focus has been on strengthening our team with new hires to support our growth goals.”
According to Beer, the latest additions have strengthened the lender’s regional presence following a strong first half of the year, which saw new business growth increase by 44% compared to the same period in 2022. He added that Ultimate Finance is actively recruiting in the North West, Yorkshire, and Scotland to support continued growth.
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