In his new role, he will focus on improving service levels in credit and ensure brokers receive a consistently good experience with every transaction.  

He will also be tasked with helping to define and communicate UTB’s differentiated credit appetite as a specialist funder.

Jon, whose career in business finance and leasing spans over 30 years, joins UTB from Renaissance Asset Finance (part of Arbuthnot Latham Bank), where he was head of credit.

Prior to this, he held senior roles at various funders, including Hampshire Trust Bank and Siemens Financial Services.

“I am very excited to be joining UTB at this time,” said Jon.

•   What does the specialist finance industry need in 2023 and beyond?
•   Sundeep Patel to join UTB as director of bridging
•   UTB hires senior underwriter for asset finance credit team

“It is a dynamic and ambitious business, and I am very much looking forward to being part of and helping its future success.”  

Nathan Mollett, head of asset finance at UTB, commented: “Despite the economic uncertainty, we have remained busy this year with proposals and completions — so much so that, despite having more underwriters than ever before, at times our service has been stretched and standards have fallen below where we want them to be. 

“Jon’s experience of running busy credit operations will help us to develop a top quality and consistent service so that brokers know exactly what to expect from us all day, every day. 

“Jon will also use his considerable knowledge to coach the credit and sales teams on refinance — an area of business we want to develop and one which we believe will be important to SMEs as they navigate any challenges ahead, and which will give our broker partners more opportunities to write business.

“Now more than ever, it is important that we have an experienced head of credit on the team who has worked through the ups and downs of economic cycles. 

“We need to achieve the right balance of giving brokers and their SME customers the support they need, while maintaining the discipline of lending wisely.”