Praetura appoints ex-challenger bank MD

Graham Drew has joined Praetura from Secure Trust Bank, where he was a managing director for the firm’s asset finance division.

Mike Hartley, Managing Director of Praetura Asset Finance, said: “Graham is a great addition to the business.

“He impressed us with his exceptional national and European sales track record with large corporates such as GE Capital and Shawbrook Bank, yet it was his broker portfolio that truly set him apart.”

With an extensive knowledge of the South of England, Graham brings an impressive broker network and 25 years of experience to Praetura.

He will primarily be focused on building a southern-based broker team and establishing a new regional hub to better service Praetura’s growing client base.

Graham said: “Praetura is a young, hungry and ambitious company that’s found a successful gap in the asset finance market.

“A lot of providers have lowered their rates and are chasing volume, which has left a raft of SMEs with a story to tell underserviced.

“I’m building a southern team that can truly support this space within the broker network, adding real value to structured transactions by helping the broker get them over the line and thereby differentiating ourselves in the region.”

Launched in 2014, Praetura has already reached a £50m lending book in its second year of business.

The Manchester-based firm has now grown from seven specialist finance professionals to 20 members of staff.