GC Business Finance strengthens team to support SMEs in the North West

GC Business Finance has appointed two new senior loan managers, Paul Deighton and Alison Powell, to strengthen its team and support more businesses across the North West in 2022.

Alison and Paul will play an important role in delivering finance to businesses in the North West. Paul joins from Barclays where he spent four years working with SMEs based in Stockport and Manchester, managing their business banking relationship, and providing a range of lending products and services. His focus will be on delivering the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF), which provides loans of £25,000 to £100,000 backed by the Recovery Loan Scheme to growing businesses across the North West.

Alison joins from HSBC where she served as a business specialist,  helping start-ups and small businesses to achieve their goals by providing tailored products and services, valuable advice and establishing key networks. She will be focused on delivering NPIF loans across the North West with a specific focus on Cumbria and Lancashire.

Paul and Alison join Matt Robinson, who was promoted to Head of Lending in October 2021. Having previously worked as Fund Manager for Lancashire Country Council’s Rosebud Fund, Matt has brought a wealth of experience in both business development and the strategic management of funds to the wider GC Business Finance team.

Matt is responsible for driving new lending and management of GC Business Finance’s SME loan portfolio. The team provides businesses in the North West with a mix of products including Start Up Loans, NPIF, Rosebud and the Greater Manchester Export Fund.  GC Business Finance is an accredited lender with the Recovery Loan Scheme. Providing loans between £500 and £300k, GC Business Finance has already supported thousands of businesses in the region.

Matt Robinson said: “Paul and Alison are fantastic additions to our team and are equipped with the regional insight and experience to help businesses who have been unable to access finance from mainstream providers. I would encourage any SME looking for finance to get in touch for a conversation about the ways that GC Business Finance, and the wider Growth Company, may be able to support them with their ambitions.”

Paul Deighton said: “It’s been great working with the team at GC Business Finance and getting embedded in the role, continuing to support businesses in this region. There are so many brilliant businesses out there, and I’ve enjoyed getting to know them and providing them with funding where they otherwise might not have been able to.”

Alison Powell said: ““We are at a pivotal moment now, where many businesses have weathered the worst of the pandemic and are turning their focus from survival and recovery to growth. I’m looking forward to helping businesses to take advantage of our broad range of finance and support them on their journey.”