Paragon’s new Sales Director for SME Lending discusses his career, what the army taught him about asset finance, and how Paragon can support SMEs and brokers in the year ahead.

You recently joined Paragon as Sales Director for SME Lending – how have your first weeks been and what have you enjoyed most? 

I’ve really enjoyed my first weeks at Paragon. From visiting the team in Solihull, spending time in Southampton, and meeting people on Teams, it has been fantastic to see the sheer breadth of talent and experience within our business. The range of our proposition and ability to expand even further is evident, and I am really looking forward to being part of this journey.

The whole team has been incredibly welcoming, as well as generous with their time and knowledge to help me hit the ground running. Paragon thrives on collaboration to reach the best outcome for our clients – and I know this positive attitude will continue to serve us well in the years ahead.

You join Paragon with an extensive track record in asset finance, how did you get started in the sector? 

My career in asset finance started thanks to the skills and knowledge I gained during my six years serving in the Armed Forces. Stationed in Germany as a member of the Royal Armoured Corps, I learned to plan, adapt and think strategically. 

After completing my service, I started work at a Ford dealership, where I sold finance options to clients and, thanks to the skills and mindset I gained during my service, I was able to successfully exceed my targets. My performance was recognised by the dealership’s funder, Mercantile Credit – part of Barclays, which recruited me to train their staff in how to sell financial propositions. That was my introduction to asset finance and the start of the journey that has today led me to join Paragon.

With Q3 2023 underway, how has the year been for the SME sector?  

That this year has continued to present businesses with challenges is well known, but what really needs to be talked up and celebrated is the strength, determination, and resilience of SMEs. Through recent times, SMEs that operate the right strategy, products and people have continued to strive and succeed – and Paragon is ready to work with them to help achieve their growth ambitions.

How can Paragon support brokers in the time ahead?

Paragon’s expert team understands not only the challenges and issues concerning SMEs, but also those of brokers and vendors. This enables us to recognise opportunities, work with partners to develop bespoke financing solutions for each new deal, and continue to deliver product and service excellence in a consistent manner. We look forward to working with both new and existing partners to learn about how we can support them and their clients.

Visit our website to learn more about how our Broker team can support your business.