In the newly created role, Rob will focus on accelerating the rate at which the alternative finance specialist is able to structure and process loans.

Rob – who has worked in the banking sector since 1979 – has previous experience in commercial and corporate finance having served at Barclays, Co-op and Santander.

He also set up AIB Capital Markets’ corporate finance operation in the North.

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Commenting on his new role, Rob said: “I’ll be working alongside our origination team to shape and structure the deals, helping resolve any problems and being actively involved in the whole credit process right the way through to completion.”

Rob added that what first attracted him to ThinCats was that it had the knowledge and experience of a traditional lender, but with smarter thinking.

“We understand how a business works and listen to its financing needs, rather than using a remotely executed, tick-box approach that frustrates so many companies trying to raise finance.”

Rob will be working with Geoff O’Brien in Scotland, Maureen Armstrong in the North East and Matthew Lawrence and Mark Tunley in the Midlands.

Another new recruit to cover the North West from next month will be announced in due course.

Damon Walford, chief development officer at ThinCats, said: “Business borrowers are frequently frustrated when they deal with ‘conventional’ lenders, in that the relationship managers they deal with appear to be like a post box into which they drop their requirements, with the decisions being made by a far off and faceless credit team.”