Roma Finance has appointed Steve Baker as a non-executive director and Simon Micklethwaite (pictured) to develop introducer relationships from Together Money and HSBC.
Baker was managing director of retail at Together while Micklethwaite was HSBC’s relationship manager.
Scott Marshall, director of Roma Finance, said: “With our lending set to increase significantly now that we have completed the securitisation, our ambitious growth plans are quickly becoming a reality.
“It’s important to take a strategic look at the way forward and these two appointments mean we are well on track to succeed further in the years ahead.
“We still require several new BDMs and a national sales manager to implement the structure for the rapidly increasing business levels and hope to make appointments soon. The future here we come.”
Baker has over 35 years’ senior experience in financial services and specialist lending, including board levels sales and operations roles to defining and implementing business strategy programmes.
He is charged with helping Roma grow and develop its strategy by reviewing and improving processes and introducing new products, while he will also review the bridging sector in order to help Roma innovate and find new opportunities in the market.
Micklethwaite was at HSBC for 18 years in senior roles.
As well as developing introducer relationships he is charged with utilising Roma’s new funding line, as the Manchester-based lender has a multi-million pound funding facility via the Royal Bank of Scotland which was established after the Brexit vote.
Baker said: “It’s extremely exciting to be working with the ambitious and pro-active team at Roma Finance.
“They have built a wonderful business but it’s essential to put the right programmes in place now to handle their growth plans. More introducers are working with them than ever before and they are now experiencing the unique Roma service.
“It’ll be important to appoint the right new staff, have the latest systems and processes and build good, long lasting relationships within the bridging sector.
“I’m confident I can provide the strategic input they need to help steer them in this success. It’s tremendous to be part of it.”
Micklethwaite said: “I’m really driven to grow the Roma Finance broker network and build relationships with them in the north east.
“It’s vital they know how the Roma service differs from other bridging lenders and so far the reception has been tremendous with new loans being written almost immediately after a series of meetings.
“I’m keen to stress we are very much open for business despite the uncertain economic climate.
“As the business levels grow the Roma Finance service proposition to brokers will be even more exciting. Watch this space.”
