Together hires adviser to its board

Raine (pictured) who has more than 35 years’ experience in financial services - joins from Swedish bank Handelsbanken, where he helped to develop its business across northern England and Scotland.

Together hires adviser to its board

Specialist lender Together, which has a loan book of more than £3.74bn,has appointed ex-banker Simon Raine as an advisor to its board.

Raine (pictured) who has more than 35 years’ experience in financial services - joins from Swedish bank Handelsbanken, where he helped to develop its business across northern England and Scotland. He will advise on corporate and commercial lending.

Raine said: “I’m really excited to be joining at a time when Together is realising its ambitious growth plans, as I have known and admired the business for a long time.

“The group has an enviable history in the specialist lending industry and has become well-respected for its innovative financial products and its commitment to providing the best possible service for its clients. It’s a great opportunity to join as the business continues its expansion.”

During a 17-year career with Handelsbanken, he was part of a close-knit team which developed its corporate and private business. He also sat on its credit committee and Northern Leadership Group.

He will support clients including wealth managers, developers, investors and entrepreneurs, as the group expands its commercial and corporate distribution channels.

Marc Goldberg, the group’s commercial chief executive, added: “We’re delighted to welcome Simon as a board adviser. His experience speaks for itself and he has a wealth of knowledge to help us promote and enhance the core strengths of the business to new introducers and clients.”

This month, the lender announced that its loan book had reached a new high of £3.74bn in the quarter to March 31, 2019.

Meanwhile, its average monthly loan originations were up 20.5% on the same period last year, while pre-tax profit remained strong at £31.4m, up 8.8% on the same quarter last year. The group remained highly cash generative, with cash receipts of £376.7m for the period.

Simon is a non-executive director for the Jockey Club at Haydock Park, a board advisor at BBS Law Ltd, and Bridge Insurance Brokers. He is also a director at specialist business advisors FRP Advisory.