Independent finance broker Montane Finance has expanded its services with the creation of a new division focused on commercial lending for small and medium-sized enterprises.
The new arm will arrange unsecured and asset-backed loans of up to £1m and is being led by Shareen Zaman, who has joined from Response Business Finance. Zaman, who has more than 10 years of experience in the sector, has already started working with lenders to secure funding solutions for SMEs in energy, hospitality and motor retail.
Until now, Montane Finance has specialised in property-backed transactions, supporting healthcare and hospitality businesses and completing more than £75m of funding in the past 12 months.
The addition of a commercial lending division broadens the brokerage’s offer to cover a wider range of client needs.
Group founder and managing director Scott Murcott said: “Shareen comes with a wealth of experience in commercial lending and will help to enhance our product offering with her abundance of expertise in unsecured and asset-backed finance.
“This new role will extend our reach to SMEs across all sectors and enable us to provide a more holistic and progressive service to ambitious businesses.
“There is a significant gap in the market for this type of lending, which will be a valuable resource and means of support for our growing client base by providing them with the capability to expand and improve their cashflow.
“Shareen has superb ethics and is committed to always providing bespoke and fit-for-purpose advice to her clients. She is a great addition to the Montane team as we enter our next phase of expansion.”
Zaman said: “As soon as I met Scott and heard about his ideas and vision, I knew it would be a great opportunity to join Montane. I’m excited to help build up the business, working alongside Scott’s knowledgeable and experienced team to get more lenders and clients on board.”
Montane Finance is part of the Buxton-headquartered Montane Group, which also includes Montane Care, a specialist adviser on the sale and acquisition of care homes and childcare facilities, and Montane Insurance, a boutique commercial broker for the hospitality and healthcare sectors.
