Hope Capital has appointed a new member of staff and a consultant to help accelerate its growth plans.

The short-term lender grew by almost 50% in 2017 and it intends to achieve at least the same this year.

Last month Hope Capital cut rates to 0.99% with LTVs of up to 75%, although this may be extended for the right borrower under the right circumstances.

Hope Capital has created a new role, that of business development manager (BDM) combined with underwriter. Its appointee, Tracey North, has had a long career with NatWest, which included over 13 years as a senior relationship manager. She specialised in organising finance for customers who want to build and expand their investment portfolios.

The BDM underwriter role has been created to streamline the process for brokers.

In addition, Hope Capital has appointed Alan and Mel Dring of The MAD Approach to support its growth plans. The MAD Approach seeks to inspire and help businesses to become the best they can possibly be, to achieve growth and stand out against competitors and will be working with Hope Capital to help it achieve improved results.

Jonathan Sealey (pictured), CEO of Hope Capital, said: “We started the new year with a bang with some of the lowest rates we have ever offered and the appointment of key people to help with our expansion plans. We achieved exceptional growth last year and will be moving into expanded office space as a result; now we want to build on this momentum.

“Key to us is to ensure that brokers and their clients get the loans that they want, in way and the timescales that they need. If we continue to get this right then Hope Capital itself continues to grow exponentially. Our latest appointments will undoubtedly help us to provide that exceptional level of service and continue our ambitious growth plans.”

Alan Dring, director of The MAD Approach, said: “We have a track record over many years of helping companies to grow, particularly in the short-term lending and bridging space. We will be bringing all that experience to bear, working in collaboration with Jonathan, his team and Hope Capital’s major stakeholders, to help them to develop their proposition and distribution channels and to continue their recent very encouraging growth rate.”

Tracey North, BDM underwriter, added: “Hope Capital is an exciting business with a huge amount of potential. I hope to make a significant difference in this strategic role, making things easier both for brokers and their clients, so there is never a reason not to come to Hope Capital for their bridging loan requirements.”