Raising better business finance

Alison is co-founder of Central Business Finance with over 25 years experience helping SME’s to access the finance that they need to grow and develop; working in both the Public and Private sector.

 

From 1998- 2010 – Alison was Chief Executive of The Arrow Fund Ltd, a Regional loan fund backed by Advantage West Midlands, Birmingham City Council, HSBC and Lloyds Bank. She was also a Non-Exec director of The Fair Finance Consortium Ltd, a consortium of the regions Community Development Finance Institutions such as BCRS, ART, CWRT and others. Alongside these roles, Alison was involved directly at the front end, delivering business support as a SFEDI accredited business advisor to High Growth businesses and as a Growth Accelerator coach for Grant Thornton.

 

Alison as a particular affinity for manufacturing businesses with a good understanding of the challenges that they may face.  Her expertise are in securing grant funding for clients and she believes the honest and impartial advice at the start of the process always ensures a positive outcome.

Director – Central Business Finance Ltd.

 

Paul has worked in the Asset Finance Sector for over 20 years. He started his finance career in Consumer Finance with Citi Group in 2002 moving into Business Finance in 2004 with one of the largest independent funders in the UK. Starting as an underwriter then gradually progressing to Head of Credit, then transitioning into sales. 

 

Paul’s extensive credit risk background gives him an in-depth understanding of what the lenders are looking for, how businesses operate and what pains they go through. Since 2009 Paul has been helping SME’s directly fund their capital equipment needs ranging from soft assets to machinery and asset refinance transactions, even funding specialist and high-end vehicles. 

 

He has helped businesses of all sectors and sizes from day 1 trading businesses all the way to large entities turning over £25m. 

Sam Sturdy, Head of Bridging and Commercial at Central Finance, fully qualified with a Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice has over 25 years commercial finance experience.

 

From grass roots days at KPMG with international blue chip companies and high net worth individuals, to running her own commercial finance franchise, Sam has dealt with diverse and complex cases requiring the expertise of a property finance expert.

 

With over 25 years commercial experience, Sam’s expertise is thoroughly understanding the client and matching the detail to lenders criteria.   With a particular interest in the property investment arena, Sam’s experience ensures she digs deep to understand the client and the deal, bringing creative feasible solutions to the client.  Her experience ranges from auction, bridging and development finance to buy to let and residential mortgages.

 

Armed with a creative can-do approach, she prides herself in looking after clients with their best interests at heart and treating clients with honesty and integrity.

Experienced in Business Management and Financial Accounting.

 

Lynne has been working with Central Finance since 2015 when she started to establish her business in Birmingham. Prior to which she was and still is a well respected management  accountant working in various private sectors in and around the Plymouth and Devon area.

 

Amongst these sectors were insurance companies, advertising agencies, solicitors practices, building firms, property developers and marketing agencies.

 

Lynne has been running her own Management Company for many years aswell as being a Financial Controller for a multi-million pound commercial property company.

 

During this time Lynne held the role of Director of Plymouth Chamber of Commerce and a member of Plymouth Area Business Council along with being on the board of trustees for DDRC Hyperbaric Centre and Colebrook Housing Association.

Head of Vendor Finance – Central Business Finance Ltd.

 

Steve Coldicott has worked in the Finance Sector for over 20 years. He started his finance career as a Mortgage Underwriting with Prudential Banking Group in 1998 moving into Independent Financial and Mortgage advice in 2004 as a qualified Independent Financial Adviser. Steve progressed into specialist corporate finance in 2007. He became a founding member of a Fintech Start-Up in 2010, moving into Asset Finance and Corporate in 2016. 

 

Steve’s deep understanding of credit risk along with businesses needs has given Steve a unique insight into what SME’s financing from capital equipment purchase to business loans. 

 

Finding the perfect solution for a business can be a challenge, being able to debunk the jargon and deliver a tailor-made solution is where Steve excels. 

Marisha has quickly gained valuable experience in the finance industry. Beginning as an Apprentice at Barclays, he spent seven years in various retail banking roles. In 2023, he transitioned to Hampshire Trust, focusing on Savings and Bonds.

 

After nine years in retail finance, he sought a new challenge in Business finance. Since joining us in 2024 and relocating to the Midlands, he has become an integral part of our team.

Co-founder of Central Finance, Steve has over twenty years’ experience working with businesses to raise finance, and was one of the first brokers to adopt the use of alternative finance & peer to peer lending in 2011. 

 

Steve’s extensive Industry and funder knowledge are paramount and through his illustrious reputation, Central Finance are constantly at the forefront of new and innovate funders and finance options. The comprehensive understanding of business, accounts and a broad range of funding solutions enables him to match the right finance package to meet the exacting needs of the client. 

 

As well as sharing overall control of the group, Steve heads up the Central Business Finance team who cover Debt Finance, Invoice Finance & Funding of MBOs & MBIs – typically from £25,000 - £3,500,000.

Nicholas Philippides, Business Development Manager, has over eleven ‘ experience practicing in B2B Financial Services, previously working for the UK’s largest asset finance broker.

 

Nick’s specialism is working closely with SME Businesses, by being an Alternative to their bank manager.  Building close, relationships with his clients and being available to them round the clock to support their current and long- term goals.

 

Balancing Short and Medium term funding for his clients delivering various finance products from VAT Funding, to Asset Finance and Loans for Growth.  Nick assesses the best package for his client and always endeavours to maintain the long-term relationship.

Raj Bedi, Business Adviser at Central Finance has over eleven years experience practicing in B2B Financial Services, previously working for the UK’s largest asset finance broker.

 

Raj is an experienced account manager, with new business development and sales support skills working with a number of clients ranging from start-ups to blue chip organisations, dealing with transactions from £10,000 through to £500,000.

 

A keen eye for detail and strong experience in underwriting, Raj ensures clients are maximising potential financial solutions best suited to their needs whilst matching funding criteria to deliver the right financial package.

I began my Commercial Finance career by joining a Merchant Bank dealing with different types of Investment and Pension Products, both in the private and commercial sectors. Finally becoming an Investment Manager with responsibility for the South East counties.

 

I then joined a Commercial Bank and was tasked with the building and training a sales team for the West Midland area. This role crucially expanded my understanding of different types of funding for all kinds of businesses.

 

The experience I had gained gave me an opportunity to join car manufactures Lexus and Audi, as Corporate Sales Manager for the West Midland Area working closely with business to develop relationships and help companies find the most tax efficient ways of running their car fleets.

 

Since 2010 I have worked as a Business Development Manager with Central Business Finance, utilising my experience and knowledge of commercial finance giving me the opportunity to assist many different types of businesses across the UK.

Bal, Commercial Finance Assistant has over 10 years’ experience working for the Foreign Exchange industry where she built up her knowledge of compliance, accounts, cost management and leadership.  

 

With a Business Management degree from The University of Birmingham University, Bal is on hand for all office administration including client applications and quotes.

Mark has worked commercial finance and the banking sector for nearly 40 years, he qualified as an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers in 1985 and worked at Lloyds Bank for over 30 years. 

 

In 2006 he was the UK Commercial Banking Business Development Manager of the Year and soon after became Business Development Director for the Black Country/Worcestershire and Shropshire.
 

In 2016 Mark joined Handelsbanken as Corporate Banking Manager at the newly opened Stourbridge branch where, in 5 years and through the Covid pandemic he successfully doubled their client base and grew their commercial lending book by 320% to over £35m with zero bad debts.
 

He has vast experience within the SME sector and maintains a real passion to support local business. As part of the CBF team, Mark is fully committed to providing a complete and premium service to all clients.