Manager appointed

In his new role, Paul will be responsible for helping SME businesses to access the vital funding needed to develop their business plans, many of whom have been unable to secure help from traditional high street lenders.

Prior to joining Finance For Enterprise, Paul spent more than 35 years rising through the ranks at HSBC. He joined the Midland Bank in 1986 straight after leaving school, and throughout his career he has specialised in commercial banking, where he has held various roles across Yorkshire. In 2013, Paul was appointed as a business banking area director where he oversaw a team of up to 17 relationship managers and over 2,000 significant businesses within Yorkshire and the Humber.

Since the beginning of March 2020, Paul helped to oversee the bank’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic within the region, successfully helping to deliver more than £85m in business lending through the CBILS and BBLS lending schemes.

In his spare time, Paul is a keen cricket fan, and he was bowled over when he was asked to take over the role of treasurer for his local cricket club, Whiston Parish Church Cricket Club, where he combines his passion for hitting sixes and keeping score of the club’s finances. He is also a long-suffering season ticket holder at Sheffield Wednesday.

Paul Howell, Investment Manager, Finance For Enterprise said: “SME businesses are the lifeblood of our local and regional economy, and I’m looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and playing a much more hands on role when it comes to helping business owners to access the vital funding needed to build and grow their businesses.

Prior to joining Finance For Enterprise, I’d spent my entire working life within one organisation, and having first entered the world of banking as a youngster and risen through the ranks, I felt I was at a point in my career where I was ready to embrace a new challenge. One of the things that appealed to me most about working with Finance For Enterprise was their lending approach and ethos, which enables businesses that are all too often overlooked by traditional lenders to access the vital funds needed to prosper and grow.”

Andrew Austwick, Managing Director, Finance For Enterprise said: “Paul is a terrific addition to the team who brings with him a wealth of knowledge and plenty of hands-on experience when it comes to understanding business finance. I’m sure he will quickly become a valuable addition to the Finance For Enterprise team as we all adapt to a post-Covid-19 world.”

Finance for Enterprise acts as a delivery partner for the British Business Bank’s Coronavirus Small Business Interruption Loans Scheme (CBILS) and Start Up Loans UK.

Launched in 1985 as one of the UK’s first Enterprise Agencies and as a business loan fund, today Finance For Enterprise supports SME businesses throughout Yorkshire, the Humber and the East Midlands, providing business loans up to £250,000.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Liam Hoden, editor.