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Adam Brinn

London Regional Head Tel: +44(0)7519375314 adam@growthlending.com

When not trying to keep up with two very active children, Adam can be found in the gym, playing football or relaxing on the golf course. Motorsport is his favourite hobby, but he also has a passion for rock music and has recently taken up learning to play the guitar.

14 years’ experience of financing SMEs and corporates
Studying for a Bachelor’s degree in business management and accounting
Previously worked for OakNorth, Metro Bank and Barclays

Chris Mears

Bristol Regional Head Tel: +44(0)7761747307 chris@growthlending.com

Chris loves living and working in the beautiful south west. When not running around after his four daughters, he will have a go at most sports and outdoor activities – mainly to justify a busy social life. He is also an enthusiastic, if destructive, handyman.

MBA qualified
Previously spent 17 years in commercial and corporate banking
Previously spent 18 years as an army officer, deployed around the world

Ryan Sorby

Manchester Regional Head Tel: +44(0)7784231378 ryan@growthlending.com

Ryan loves heading into the Peak District with his family and friends for a good walk and the obligatory pub lunch. He enjoys playing football on a Sunday morning as well as getting out for a Park Run every now and then.

His significant professional experience encompasses financial accounting, corporate finance and lending and supporting growing SMEs with creative funding solutions.

More than 25 years’ experience in financial services
ACA 2003
Previously worked for BDO, PwC and Lloyds Banking Group
Into his fifth year at the Growth Lending Group in his role as Head of Region

Katherine Woodfine

London Director of Debt Finance +44 (0)7790 802962 katherinew@growthlending.com

Katherine is never happier than when travelling to new and exotic destinations. When at home, she can be found trying to seek out hidden gems for food and drink, going on long countryside walks and chasing after her niece.

More than 8 years’ experience in private equity and debt investment
Previously worked at Horizon Capital and Puma Investment Management
CFA charter-holder
1st class (Honours) degree from the University of Nottingham

Julian Hornby

London Director of Debt Finance Tel: +44 (0)20 3854 3530 julian@growthlending.com View linkedin profile

Julian is gradually coming to terms with the fact that his dream of playing for Chelsea is not materialising. As a result, he’s had to broaden his horizons into playing numerous other sports, travelling Europe and enjoying music festivals.

He was part of the GapCap team, which was acquired by the Growth Lending Group in 2020, bringing with him first-hand start-up experience. Career highlights include a £5m facility for social-first publisher Jungle Creations and a £10m facility for a digital freight forwarding start-up.

More than 7 years’ experience in growth finance
Chartered Management Accountant (CIMA, 2019)
BSc, Management (Accounting and Finance), University of Manchester

Tom Stewart

London Director of Debt Finance Tel: +44 (0)7783 767260 tom@growthlending.com View Tom’s LinkedIn Profil

Tom has structured and closed numerous transactions across London and the Midlands, including growth facilities, acquisitions and refinances.

Positive and motivated, with extensive experience in the ABL market, Tom works closely with the professional advisory community and has forged strong working relationships with accountancy firms, corporate finance, debt advisors, restructuring professionals and brokers – with the aim of being their first-choice funding partner.

9 years’ experience in ABL and receivables finance
Previously worked at RBS and Bibby Corporate
BA (Hons), Business Studies, University of Northumbria
Jönköping International Business School, one-year International Entrepreneurship Course in Sweden
Tom’s experience abroad has embedded an appreciation and passion for structuring facilities for UK businesses with international growth ambitions

Vicki Taylor

Manchester Director of Debt Finance Tel: +44 (0)7933 821501 vicki@growthlending.com View Vicki’s LinkedIn Profile

Experienced in MBIs, MBOs, overseas expansion and scale up support, Vicki focuses on tailored IF and ABL facilities across a wide range of sectors.

Outside of work Vicki loves escaping to the Lake District and is planning to walk all 214 Wainwrights. She remains a 1990s indie girl at heart, forever praying that Oasis will reform.

BA, Politics, University of Liverpool
Began her career in asset-based lending in 2007
Previously worked for ABN AMRO, RBS and Entrepreneurial Spark

Kelvin Thomas

Cardiff Director of Debt Finance Tel: +447742 514101 kelvin@growthlending.com View Kelvin’s LinkedIn Profile

Kelvin has significant and broad sectorial experience, having supported numerous management teams and stakeholders with buy-outs, buy-ins, restructuring and scaling and has expertise in structuring complex, multi-asset class facilities.

He actively seeks to engage with external partners and funders to best-support the aspirations of growing businesses and in his spare time sports-mad Kelvin is a keen golfer, regularly plays tennis and enjoys skiing – as well as the après!

25 years’ experience in ABL and receivables finance
14 years with ABN AMRO as a Sales Director and has previously occupied senior roles at bank-owned and independent funders
Economics graduate
Deep appreciation and knowledge of key economic and market factors within Wales and the South West and their impact on SMEs

Matt Vincent

Birmingham Director of Debt Finance Tel: 07761744755 matt@growthlending.com

Matt is a keen sports fan and enjoys playing football, cricket, golf and anything else he can turn his hand to. He also loves spending time with family and friends, particularly eating and drinking and the occasional walk – even better if the destination is a country pub.

15 years’ experience in commercial and corporate lending
Previously worked for RBS and Lloyds Bank across the Midlands and north of England
Honours degree in economics from Nottingham Trent University

Rebecca Blaymires

Birmingham Associate Director of Debt Finance becky@growthlending.com

Outside of work, Becky loves spending time with her friends and family, especially if she is organising a party. When she isn’t jetting off on holiday, or cruising around the sea, you may find her singing a song or two.

Previously worked for Lloyds bank with 6 years of experience in commercial lending
Worked with businesses with up to £100m turnover across the Midlands and north west
Chosen for the Aston Business School Future Leadership Programme

Michael Collins

Leeds Business Development Manager Tel: +44 7553 230959 michael@growthlending.com View Michael’s linkedin Profile

Michael has a strong history of supporting SME and mid-market firms, with a specialist knowledge of complex debt structures and a focus on delivering exceptional service.

Some of Michael’s career highlights include a £4m FID facility to support recruitment for a Cheshire-based manufacturer and a £10m ABL for a North-East producer of cleaning equipment.

7 years of commercial lending experience
Chartered banker with a Diploma in Financial Analysis and Level 3 and 4 Banking and Financial Services BPP0
Specialist knowledge of logistics, recruitment and manufacturing
Previously worked for Metro Bank and NatWest Group

Carl Baker

London Business Development Manager Tel: 07511700263 carl@growthlending.com

Carl is a keen sportsman, although these days, he is more likely to be found in a soft-play centre or at a swimming pool with his young son. He likes to spend his time on the golf course or eating out at pubs with family and friends.

BA in Management Studies, University of Sheffield
Previously worked for Lloyds Banking Group for eight years
Joined BOOST&Co in November 2021

Jack Trowbridge

London Regional Head (US) Tel: +44 (0)7525 118397 jack@growthlending.com View Jack’s LinkedIn Profile

Still holding on to his aspirations of making it as a professional sportsman in some shape or form, Jack can often be found on the football pitch, tennis court or golf course, slowly coming to terms with reality.

BA, English, University of Bristol
Founding partner of the fintech lender GapCap (now part of Growth Lending)
Played a key role in achieving Growth Lending’s CBILS accreditation in 2020
Now heads up the Growth Lending US team

Keith Kirkland

Atlanta Senior Vice President of Sales +1 (770) 298-4430 keith@growthlending.com

In an effort to stay young and even remotely cool, Keith spends his time with his two twenty-something daughters and their friends, occasionally presents lectures to college students at Samford University and teaches high school students at church every Sunday. This may, or may not, be working.

B.S. Finance, Samford University
Experience of working capital financing, asset based lending and invoice lending
Previously worked at eCapital, ExWorks Capital, Presidential Financial and Heller Financial

Other enquiries

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4th Floor
15 Crinan Street
London
N1 9SQ

Tel: 020 7651 4935 carl@growthlending.com

WeWork
55 Colmore Row
Birmingham
B3 2AA

Tel: 020 7651 4935 becky@growthlending.com

Origins
40 Berkeley Square
Bristol
BS8 1HP

Tel: 020 7651 4935 chris@growthlending.com

Princess Exchange
Princess Square
Leeds
LS1 4HY

+44 (0)7553 230959 michael@growthlending.com

5th floor
Neo
9 Charlotte Street
Manchester
M1 4ET

020 7651 4935 ryan@growthlending.com

WeWork
Colony Square
1175 Peachtree St NE
Suite 1000
Atlanta, GA 30361

+1(770) 298 4430 keith@growthlending.com

5th Floor
7 Bree Street
Cape Town City Centre
Cape Town
8000

sydne@growthlending.com

Introducers

We value the strong relationships that we have built across our professional networks

We work closely with introducers, advisors, brokers and other professionals to connect with the growing businesses we love to support.

Know of a business that would benefit from flexible funding? Get in touch.

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Investors

We work with institutional investors seeking exposure to secured, asset-backed SME debt

Since 2013, we have supported more than 200 innovative, high-growth, UK businesses with capital to accelerate growth, generating stable returns from senior secured investments with strong downside protection, often structured with upside potential.

Interested in working with us? Find out more.

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