Reward strengthens Yorkshire and North East Business Development Team

Photograph: (Left to Right) Simon Micklethwaite, Luke Drysdale, Harriet Gibbs and John Gallagher

Reward Finance Group has appointed Harriet Gibbs as Business Development Director in its Leeds office in response to a growing demand for its funding products across Yorkshire and the North East.

Harriet joins the alternative finance company from Leonard Curtis where she spent three years as Business Development Manager. With a background in corporate finance, she has built a significant network of accountants and advisers across the region and will play a key part in the strategy to take Reward to new audiences across the Yorkshire and North East region.

Speaking about her new role, Harriet said,

“Having worked with Reward in previous roles, I have watched their growth story and have seen first hand the impact they are having on the SME funding market with their straightforward and flexible approach to lending.

My own experience tells me that business owners want lenders that can quickly understand how their business operates and provide quick solutions to their funding needs. I am therefore excited about being able to introduce Reward and their refreshing approach to lending to my own network and their clients.”

To further strengthen the team, John Gallagher will also be joining Harriet as a Business Development Director. Having been with Reward for more than six years, John is already a key part of the Reward team and his experience and in-depth knowledge of its products will prove invaluable in supporting Harriet and existing business development director, Simon Micklethwaite, as they expand the reach of Reward in the region.

As the final piece in the jigsaw, Luke Drysdale has also moved into a Business Development Manager role. With a background in asset based lending, Luke will work alongside John and the wider team in taking the newly launched Asset Based Solutions product to the market.

Speaking about the strengthened team, Gemma Wright, Reward’s MD for Yorkshire and the North East, said,

“As our reputation grows across the region, leading to a record number of deals being written, and with the scale of opportunity for us in the market right now, it was important for us to grow and develop the new business team.

“It is great therefore that we have been able to attract Harriet to the company with her experience within the finance sector and a wealth of introducer contacts. And with such a solid team alongside her, I am confident that we can have a real impact in supporting SMEs across the whole of the Yorkshire and North East region.”