OakNorth Bank strengthens regional lending teams

By Bridging Loan Directory 16th April 2021

OakNorth Bank – the UK bank for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs – is continuing to strengthen its regional footprint with three new hires to its lending teams in the North West, Yorkshire and East Anglia.

OakNorth Bank’s 2020 Annual Report revealed that, despite the ongoing challenges of COVID-19, it lent £1.1B to the Missing Middle last year, supporting hundreds of businesses and helping to both protect and create thousands of jobs.

This year, it has got off to an equally busy start with c.£550m of new deals closed so far.

The new hires include Dan Hewitt, who joins Martin Williams in East Anglia as an Associate Director of Debt Finance, having spent the past five years at Virgin Money.

Tom Jessop joins the lending team in Manchester as an Associate Director of Debt Finance, having spent the past five years at Allied Irish Bank.

Matthew Gudgeon joins James Espley in Yorkshire as an Associate of Debt Finance, having spent the last two years at Christie Finance.

Ben Barbanel, Head of Debt Finance at OakNorth Bank said:

“Given the challenges of the pandemic on society and the economy over the last year, our mission – to empower the Missing Middle – has never been more important.

We have continued to lend, supporting hundreds of businesses across the UK from a variety of sectors.

The hiring of Dan, Tom and Matthew will enable us to continue providing on-the-ground, local support with people who are familiar with the region and the unique challenges and opportunities facing it.”