Bibby Financial Services (BFS) has appointed Kash Ahmad as UK specialist director as it seeks to increase its support for businesses trading domestically and overseas.

He has over 25 years’ experience in the financial services sector, having held a range of senior executive positions throughout UK, the Middle East and Asia, supporting SMEs, mid-market and global corporate businesses.

Most recently, Ahmad (pictured) was managing director of global transaction banking, mid-markets at Lloyds Commercial Banking. Previous roles also include chief risk officer at Barclays Bank Pakistan and managing director of inward business for Barclays Bank’s UK Global Corporates division.

He now oversees a team of more than 100 people in BFS’s specialist division. The division is responsible for supporting businesses through the provision of trade, export, construction and recruitment finance.

Ahmad said: “BFS has long been known for its invoice finance heritage but in recent years, it has greatly expanded the financial services it provides to UK PLC.

“Supporting the government’s international trade focus, our trade and export teams help businesses to overcome the complexities of trading overseas and we support SMEs buying and selling in over 100 counties. We are committed to bolstering our support further by continuing to work with leading bodies such as the Institute of Export, British Chambers of Commerce and Open to Export, in addition to forging new relationships with both public and private sector organisations alike.

“As well as international trade, the recruitment and construction sectors are vital to the performance of the UK economy and more important than ever in light of Brexit.

“As one of the first independent financiers to offer specialist finance to the construction sector in 2004, we have supported the growth of thousands of contractors and subcontractors, giving us a unique understanding of contractual debt.

“Additionally, our combined funding and back office services for recruitment firms, provides a steady source of cashflow and frees up administration time, enabling business owners to focus on developing new business.

“BFS’s specialist finance capability is unrivalled in the independent market and this provides us with a great opportunity to boost regional and national economic growth by supporting the growth of an increasing number of businesses.”

Edward Winterton, UK CEO for BFS, added: “Attracting and retaining leading talent is key to our aim of providing excellent service to clients and intermediary partners alike.

“Having a professional of Kash’s calibre, with such a wealth of experience at a senior level – both in the UK and overseas – is a massive coup and will undoubtedly enable us to enhance our support for UK SMEs.”

Kash added: “SMEs in 2018 are looking to unlock working capital, manage currency risk and find new ways of financing growth. I’m thrilled to join such an innovative, client centric business during a time of exciting change and look forward to helping more businesses to grow.”