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Our regional business development and credit teams work closely with local business finance communities.
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Simon recently served as HSBC’s Head of Mid-Market Financial Sponsors in the North West. Having held the role for nearly a decade, Simon is well-known in the North West business lending market. Prior to HSBC Simon worked for Clydesdale & Yorkshire Bank and Lloyds Bank.
Simon Dixon
Senior Director, Business DevelopmentBrian brings over 30 years’ experience within financial services, covering roles in credit sanctioning, business development and relationship roles in corporate and commercial banking. Brian joins us from NatWest Bank where he was a Credit Manager for Commercial Credit in the Midlands South West and Wales region.
Brian works closely with the Business Development team, local advisors and businesses to help shape funding across the Midlands and South West.
Brian Don
Regional Head of Credit, Midlands and South WestRichard is passionate about supporting a sector of the economy that desperately needs better funding options. He has significant experience from both sides of healthcare, and so is very keen to support good operators in the sector who are looking to grow, but are being badly let down by traditional lenders.
Richard’s role is to raise ThinCats’ profile in the healthcare sector and lead the launch of the healthcare fund, focussing on providing lending options to residential, nursing and dementia care homes as well as the many specialist care homes in the field.
Richard comes with more than twenty years of experience across financial services and healthcare, including 13 years with RBS and AIB, and eight years with healthcare specialist brokers, Chandler & Co. Additionally, Richard has six years’ direct experience as a care home owner.
Richard Henshaw
Head of HealthcareHaving worked for a number of high street banks, Stuart has seen the traditional lenders limit their appetite for SME cashflow lending. With a pragmatic approach and the ability to make quick decisions, he believes that Thincats are well positioned to support an underserved SME market - Stuart particularly enjoys working with management teams to provide finance to support their business needs and growth aspirations.
Stuart works to develop relationships with key finance professionals including brokers, accountants and corporate financiers along with Private Equity, to support SMEs in their growth ambitions, covering both London and Reading.
Stuart has 11 years’ experience in banking, working with SMEs and mid-market businesses across a number of industries, most recently for RBS and Clydesdale. He has provided finance to support event driven transactions such as management buy outs, acquisitions, growth finance and refinance.
Stuart Thompson
Head of Transitional CapitalRichard Thwaite joins us from Santander where he worked in the Structured Finance and Growth Capital team, before which he worked at HSBC in Corporate Banking.
Richard is based in Cheltenham and helps drive our presence and activity in the South West and Midlands region.
Richard Thwaite
Relationship DirectorIn his role, Luke is instrumental in structuring and managing complex debt transactions, particularly those involving private equity-backed growth, acquisitions, and recapitalisations. His expertise ensures that funding solutions are tailored to meet the specific needs of each business, facilitating their strategic objectives.
Prior to his tenure at ThinCats, Luke gained valuable experience in the Canadian market, where he structured and led debt financing solutions for private equity transactions, encompassing management buyouts, mergers, and recapitalisations. This international experience has enriched his perspective and enhanced his ability to navigate complex financial landscapes.
Luke holds a degree from the University of Bristol and is based in London. He continues to play a crucial role in ThinCats' mission to help mid-sized businesses thrive by providing innovative and flexible financing options.
Luke White
Associate DirectorAlex is passionate about supporting UK SMEs and working closely with management teams to deliver tailored funding solutions that fuel business growth. Drawing on a strong commercial background, Alex brings a hands-on approach to helping ambitious businesses realise their potential.
At ThinCats, Alex is focused on business development across the North West, with a particular emphasis on supporting entrepreneurial-led businesses through complex funding needs, including M&A and growth capital.
Before joining ThinCats, Alex held senior roles within leading financial institutions, including Lloyds Banking Group and Santander, where he spent over 15 years structuring funding solutions for mid-market businesses. His deep understanding of the regional SME landscape makes him a trusted partner for management teams and advisers across the North West.
Alex Rothwell
Director, Transaction ManagementDarrell brings a wealth of experience from the banking sector, having held senior roles at Heartland Bank Ltd and the Bank of New Zealand. His background spans Leverage and Acquisition Finance as well as Corporate and Institutional Banking, giving him a deep understanding of complex funding structures and strategic growth transactions.
At ThinCats, Darrell is focused on supporting ambitious management teams with bespoke funding solutions tailored to their growth plans. He is passionate about helping businesses achieve their full potential and is committed to delivering value through a collaborative and relationship-led approach.
Darrell is responsible for business development across his region, working closely with advisers, sponsors, and SME leaders to support mid-market lending and M&A activity.
Darrell Hannah
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