ThinCats targets south west SMEs with new origination manager
THINCATS is looking to bolster support for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the south west of England with the appointment of a new origination manager for the region.
Alison Whistance (pictured) has joined the SME loans platform from RBS where she was a business development director.
She will be responsible for helping SMEs in the south west access funding.
“I am looking forward to helping SMEs across the M4 corridor achieve their growth aspirations, especially where there is a viable business with a strong management team that the banks ‘want’ but ‘can’t’ lend to,” Whistance said.
“There are many high growth businesses across the UK which are being restricted by limited access to bank funding and I believe ThinCats can really offer an alternative solution to SMEs in this space.
“I am excited to begin my career in alternative funding, and see this playing an integral part in UK SME lending in the future.”
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Damon Walford, chief development officer at ThinCats, said it was good to have the calibre and experience that Whistance brings.
“We welcome her at a very exciting time; not only for our company, but also for the South-West economy,” Walford said.
“We’re sure her in-depth knowledge of local SMEs, brokers and intermediaries across the region will bring forward a host of new funding opportunities over the coming months and years.”
Last month, ThinCats, alongside its parent firm ESF Capital, announced the conclusion of a £200m institutional funding programme, which will enable it to scale up its lending to small- and medium-sized enterprises.
The funding programme is made up of £30m already committed by ESO Capital, £70m from Waterfall Asset Management, with the balance provided by Waterfall and other institutional investors, subject to certain conditions.
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