Meet the people behind the expertise—working closely with you to unlock the right finance for your business.

With over 25 years’ experience, Alison has helped SME’s to access the finance that they need to grow and develop; working in both the Public and Private sector.

 

Amongst her breadth of experience, Alison was previously Chief Executive of The Arrow Fund Ltd, a regional loan fund backed by Advantage West Midlands, Birmingham City Council, HSBC and Lloyds Bank.  She has always been involved directly with delivering business support as a SFEDI accredited business advisor to High Growth businesses and as a Growth Accelerator coach for Grant Thornton.

 

She has a particular affinity for manufacturing businesses with a deep understanding of the challenges that they face.  Her expertise is 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.

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 enable him to match the right finance package to meet the exacting needs of the client. 

 

Steve heads up the Central Finance team who cover Debt Finance, Invoice Finance & Funding of MBOs & MBIs – typically from £25,000 - £3,500,000.

Paul has worked in the Asset Finance Sector for over 20 years. Starting his 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. 

 

With his extensive credit risk background this gives Paul an in-depth understanding of what the lenders are looking for, how businesses operate and what pains they go through. 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. 

 

Working in all sectors, he supports businesses of all sectors and sizes from day one of trading through to large entities turning over £25m. 

Raj started her finance journey in 2004, 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 several 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.

Nick has over 18 years’ 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.  He builds close relationships with his clients and makes himself available to them round the clock to support their current and long- term goals.

 

Balancing short and medium term funding for his clients, Nick delivers various finance products from VAT funding, to asset finance and loans for growth.  He assesses the best package for his client and always endeavours to maintain the long-term relationship.

Sam is 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. She has dealt with diverse and complex cases requiring the expertise of a property finance expert. With a particular interest in the property investment arena, Sam’s digs deep to understand the client needs, bringing creative feasible solutions to the table.  Her experience ranges from auction, bridging and development finance to buy to let and residential mortgages.

 

Sam prides herself in looking after clients with their best interests at heart and treating clients with honesty and integrity.

Stephen specialises in sourcing funding for equipment, vehicles, and all types of plant/machinery. Highly experienced, having started his finance career in 2003 and has worked for some of the top brokerages in the UK.

 

Supporting micro, small and medium sized businesses across a wide spectrum of trading sectors and geographical locations, securing finance and using his knowledge to navigate what can be a convoluted marketplace.

 

Transparent and professional in his approach, always puts the client first.

Steve has worked in the Finance Sector for over 20 years. He started his career as a Mortgage Underwriting with Prudential Banking Group, moving into Independent Financial and Mortgage advice in 2004 as a qualified Independent Financial Adviser. Steve then progressed into specialist corporate finance. 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. 

Edward joined the business after graduating from Sheffield Halam University. He’s always had a passion for finance and we are lucky that he has chosen to start his career with us. At University, one his most enjoyable aspects as when he had to create and develop his own business ideas.

 

His enthusiasm and desire to help clients and their plans has come across instantly.

 

Being born and raised in Dubai. Ed moved to the UK in 2014 – he’s very well-travelled and has big plans to travel further.

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 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.

Bal has over 10 years’ experience working for the Foreign Exchange industry where she built up her knowledge of compliance, accounts, cost management and leadership.  Joining us in 2023, she is a key part of the operations team.

 

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

Lynne has been working with Central Finance since 2015 when she started to establish her business in Birmingham. She is also a well-respected management accountant working in various private sectors in and around the South Coast. 

 

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

 

Lynne has been running her own management company for many years as well 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.