Skipton Business Finance has appointed Phil Sproston as its regional sales director for the North West, in a move the lender says will increase its capacity to win and structure funding for small and medium-sized enterprises across a key English region.
Experienced hand to lead new-business drive
Sproston joins Skipton after almost a decade at Close Brothers Invoice Finance, where he progressed from sales support executive to regional sales director. For the past six years he has worked with North West companies on arranging working capital and asset-based lending facilities.
In his new role he will lead the firm’s new business activity in the region, working alongside introducers — notably brokers, accountants and corporate finance advisers — to deliver tailored funding solutions for SMEs. Management at Skipton say the hire adds experience to the regional team as the business seeks to expand its presence in the North West and support wider growth plans.
“The North West has an incredibly active and supportive business community. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with the advisers and business owners I’ve developed relationships with over the years,”
Sproston said he was attracted to Skipton Business Finance by its willingness to listen and the flexibility of the solutions it offers, adding that deciding how best to support customers requires looking at “the whole picture”.
What the hire means for SMEs and local advisers
The appointment underscores a continuing trend among specialist lenders to bolster regional teams in order to compete for a finite pool of SME business. For firms seeking working capital or asset-based lending, local senior coverage can accelerate decision-making and improve the tailoring of facilities — factors that matter for cash flow, investment and employment decisions.
Skipton’s commercial director (North), Jim Furey, commented that Sproston brings “strong commercial judgement, energy and a genuine commitment to achieving the right outcome for each business.” Furey said the appointment adds depth to the regional offering and that he expects a meaningful contribution as the lender scales up activity.
Implications for lenders and the market
The move illustrates how specialist funders continue to source experienced sales leadership from rivals to sharpen regional capability. For introducers such as brokers and accountants, more senior relationship managers on the ground can mean quicker structuring of facilities and potentially more options for clients weighing up borrowing costs, security requirements and covenant terms.
That matters for the real economy: the availability and design of working capital and asset-based lending affect firms’ ability to pay staff, manage suppliers and invest. While the announcement does not include specific lending targets or product changes, an expanded regional presence typically aims to increase originations, which can in turn influence competition on pricing and flexibility in the market.
- Appointment: Phil Sproston named regional sales director, North West.
- Background: Nearly 10 years at Close Brothers Invoice Finance; six years structuring working capital and asset-based facilities in the North West.
- Focus: Lead new business activity with brokers, accountants and corporate finance advisers to support SME funding needs.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| New role | Regional sales director, North West |
| Previous employer | Close Brothers Invoice Finance |
| Relevant experience | Almost 10 years at previous firm; 6 years arranging working capital and asset-based lending |
For regional businesses, the practical test will be whether the appointment translates into faster decisions, more competitive terms and easier access to tailored finance. For Skipton Business Finance, adding a senior hire with local relationships is a step towards those outcomes — and a signal it intends to be more active in the North West market for SME funding.
As lenders jockey for SME clients in the months ahead, the value of experienced relationship managers will be judged against the scale and speed of new originations, and ultimately the impact on firms’ ability to sustain jobs and investment.
