Meet the Team – Growth Lending’s Director of Debt Finance Vicki Taylor

Director of Debt Finance Vicki Taylor, based in Growth Lending’s Manchester office, is responsible for finding new clients to benefit from the lender’s fast, flexible funding.

What’s your role at Growth Lending?

As Director of Debt Finance for the north, I identify opportunities and structure funding for businesses to support their working capital or to provide funding for acquisitions. I visit companies to understand the nuances of their business in order to tailor funding to their needs. Our opportunities tend to be introduced directly through accountants and advisors who are seeking finance on behalf of their clients. We cover a vast range of sectors, all within the B2B space, and although I’m based in the north, Growth Lending supports companies all over the UK and overseas.

What was your first job?

I started out in retail and worked at the supermarket Aldi for four years. My mum had her own business and I loved the fast-paced nature of retail, as well as speaking to different people every day. I then spent eight years in invoice finance at RBS, before taking a two-year secondment to coach entrepreneurs through the social enterprise Entrepreneurial Spark, which was very rewarding. I learned how to really listen, and depending on the size of the business, you can add a lot of value with relatively simple advice.

What appealed to you about Growth Lending?

I enjoyed working in invoice finance, but after coaching entrepreneurs, I wanted to find a hybrid role with an innovative business that operated in an agile way. Growth Lending has a fresh, exciting feel, and there’s a lot of flexibility in how we can structure our products.

How do you spend your leisure time?

I love hiking, so if the weather’s right, I’ll head to the Lake District. I want to bag all of the Wainwrights, but I’ve only got 26 of the 214, so I have a long way to go. I also love ticking off Michelin-starred restaurants and dining out, there are some great Korean and Thai places in Manchester.

Which football team do you support?

I have split loyalties: I have to say Blackburn Rovers, because I come from that part of Lancashire, but I was brought up as an Evertonian, because my dad’s a scouser!

What’s on your bucket list?

I harbour a desire to visit Norway – I want to see some glaciers before we destroy the planet – and also Hawaii, because it looks picture-perfect.

Given £100m to spend or invest, what’s the first thing you would do?

I’d buy a jet ski. My husband’s just got his motorboat licence and going jet-skiing on holiday is one of my favourite things. I’d invest most of the money wisely and donate to charity, but that would be my extravagant purchase.