Brightstar Financial has appointed a new commercial finance specialist who will specialise in the trading business sector and associated products of invoice and asset finance.

Paul Debney has more than 30 years’ experience in the banking and finance industry and has been a bank manager for over 20 years. He previously worked in the SME and corporate banking sector since 2000, having worked with HSBC until 2007 when he moved to Clydesdale Bank.

Brightstar’s commercial finance division, which covers commercial investment finance, larger residential investment finance, property development and trading business loans, has seen an upsurge in intermediary enquiries since its inception in December 2013.

The expansion of the dedicated division, which is now made up of a team of seven, will have sub-divisions covering a range of finance options including trading business and real estate, as well investment and development and unsecured business lending.

Robert Collins (pictured), director of commercial finance at Brightstar, said: “These new sub-divisions will help us to specialise in more areas and keep up with the unprecedented demand, while also delivering the same high service levels for our expanding clientele.

“After another successful year for commercial business, we are pleased to welcome Paul to Brightstar, who I am sure will be a great addition to the team due to his extensive experience and his track record of delivering results.

“Paul’s appointment and the diversification of the commercial division are ways of ensuring our productivity remains high and ultimately allows us to become even more specialist in even more areas of commercial finance.”