Chris Harrison (pictured above) and Shrena Patel have joined the specialist lender as senior credit manager and senior business development manager, respectively.

Prior to Octane, Chris worked at West One Loans as a senior lending underwriter and, before that, was an underwriter at The Loans Engine.

Chris will be reporting to Matt Smith, director of credit and risk.

“Everyone in the industry respects what [Jonathan Samuels], Mark [Posniak] and Matt have achieved over the years, and I clearly leapt at the chance to work with them and help drive Octane forward,” Chris said.

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“The team here is more experienced than any I have worked in and thrives in the kind of climate we now find ourselves in.
 
“This is a special company and I am excited to be part of it as it continues to grow.” 

Shrena Patel, senior business development manager at Octane Capital

Previously, Shrena was a BDM at Shawbrook Bank, and had also worked as a corporate relationship director at Santander. 

In her new role, she will be reporting to managing director, Mark Posniak.

“I’m really excited to be part of a company that’s growing rapidly and doing something completely unique,” Shrena commented.

“Having worked at a challenger bank, I see Octane as a challenger to the challengers.
 
“What really appealed to me is how Octane aren’t a tick-the-box lender, but play each application as they see it, and go out of their way to find solutions, which is what brokers value most.”

Matt added that, despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the lender had set big goals for 2020, and growing its sales and credit teams was vital for it to achieve them. 

“Shrena has a huge amount of experience and strong relationships with countless introducers, while Chris is one of the most sophisticated credit managers in the market,” he stated.

“I’ve got no doubt that both will hit the ground running and prove invaluable members of the team.”