Independent Growth Finance (IGF) has announced the appointment of Neil Kindness as asset based lending (ABL) director.

Kindness has over 30 years’ experience in invoice finance and asset based lending. Most recently he was an invoice finance and asset based lending specialist at Santander for over four years. Prior to this, he also held senior positions at GMAC, GE Commercial Finance and Landsbanki.

At IGF, Kindness will be responsible for developing IGF’s presence in Scotland as it continues to expand its offering throughout the UK.

IGF has provided finance to SMEs since 1997 and focuses on businesses with an annual turnover between £100,000 to £100m. In the 12 months to July 2018, IGF increased its funding to UK businesses by 88%.

Jon Hughes, commercial director ABL of IGF, said: “Neil has a wealth of knowledge in the asset-based lending and invoice finance sector. His extensive experience makes him the perfect addition to our management team. I look forward to working with Neil as we continue to help SMEs across the UK unlock their growth potential.”

Kindness added: “This is a fantastic time to be joining a dynamic and client-lead company such as IGF. I am extremely pleased to be joining many respected colleagues, several of whom I have worked with over the years.

“I look forward to extending IGF’s presence in Scotland, increasing the diversity of finance options available to small businesses. I strongly believe that IGF’s product offering, structure and appetite fills a gap in the Scottish SME market.”