Paul Reynolds has been appointed regional sales manager for the North East and Yorkshire at Paragon Bank’s SME lending division.

Reynolds (pictured) will lead the further development of Paragon’s provision of specialist financial support for SMEs across the region.

With over a decade of asset finance experience, he joins Paragon from Close Brothers, where he was an area sales manager for the North East. Prior to Close Brothers, he was business manager for the Lloyd Motor Group.

He will report to SME lending regional director, Ashley Butterfield.

Recently published Paragon research found that 53% of North East SMEs expect cashflow to improve over the next 12 months. A total of 55% are feeling confident in their business’s outlook and 75% plan to maintain or increase investment in their operations.

Reynolds said: “I am thrilled to join Paragon’s specialist lending team at this exciting time for North East and Yorkshire SMEs. With plans for investment, businesses are ready to acquire the assets that will take their operations forward – and I looking forward to working with SMEs from across the region to help them reach their full potential.”

Butterfield added: “I’m excited to welcome Paul to our team. With Paul’s significant asset finance experience, he will offer support to SMEs from across the region in finding the right, bespoke financing solutions for them.”