Paragon Bank strengthens SME lending leadership with senior hire
Richard van Dort brings more than 30 years’ experience in asset finance and banking.
Paragon Bank has appointed Richard van Dort as head of business development vendor within its SME lending division.
The Van Dort brings more than 30 years’ experience in asset finance and banking, and has held a number of leadership roles focused on building global vendor programmes and long-term funding partnerships.
Most recently at DLL, he led the development of funding strategies for global vendor and direct enterprise partners, having previously established and scaled the UK’s non-vendor direct funding market for major enterprise accounts.
Prior to this, he held senior roles at GE Capital, where he oversaw high-value vendor programmes and direct partnerships across sectors including industrials, transport and logistics, construction and materials handling.
The appointment supports Paragon’s strategic focus on expanding its vendor and direct channels, building on infrastructure, technology investment and a strengthened credit appetite developed over the past year.
The bank said its partnership-led approach, supported by digitalisation, competitive funding and asset management expertise, positions it well to grow across core sectors such as intralogistics, access equipment, waste, ports and terminals, and materials handling.
Van Dort will work alongside Terry Lloyd, head of vendor, combining business development and strategic growth with operational delivery and execution.
Paragon said the dual leadership model will ensure strong accountability and service standards for vendor partners.
Stewart Good, sales director of SME lending at Paragon Bank, said: “This appointment is a clear statement of intent from Paragon SME Lending.
“Richard’s experience and expertise will bring huge value to our business, and his appointment represents a significant investment in our long-term ambitions to become the funder of choice for UK SMEs and vendors.
“We are ready to expand our direct capabilities, support SMEs on their growth journeys and maintain the highest standards of service as we continue to grow.”
Van Dort said: “I’ve watched Paragon’s growth and admired the team’s ambition for some time.
“The attraction of working with a UK-based funder with agility, talented people and a clear strategy and defined markets was a real draw for me.
“In this role I plan to grow a foothold across a range of sectors – waste, transport, healthcare, trailers, aviation and intralogistics to name a few – and to build sustainable, long-term partnerships based on trust and responsiveness.
“Now more than ever, customers want lenders that do what they say, offering flexibility and tailoring products suitable to their needs. Paragon truly delivers on that promise.”
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