Paragon Bank has strengthened its SME lending division with two senior appointments, as it seeks to accelerate growth in green energy finance.
Andy Craggs joins the bank to lead on its green energy offering, a strategic priority for the lender as it aims to support the transition to net zero among small and medium-sized enterprises.
Craggs brings more than 30 years’ experience in asset finance and reports directly to John Phillipou, managing director of SME lending and chair of the Finance & Leasing Association.
Craggs’ career includes a long tenure as managing director at ECS Group and, more recently, a role as business development manager at Premier – a Paragon Banking Group brokerage that has completed more than 15,000 agreements and over £1 billion in SME finance.
Paragon says his appointment reflects the bank’s desire to grow its presence in the clean energy sector, underpinned by his established network of energy generators and technology installers across the UK.
Emma Gorman also joins the team, bringing over 13 years’ experience in SME asset finance. Her background spans roles at Hampshire Trust Bank, Macquarie Bank, Aldermore Bank and a national asset finance brokerage. She will focus on enhancing Paragon’s broker relationships and broadening its asset finance proposition.
Both hires come as Paragon reports continued momentum in SME lending. In the last financial year, the division increased new lending by 7.3% to more than £480 million, alongside growth in its loan book.
The appointments are intended to build on that trajectory, with a particular emphasis on tailored solutions for SMEs navigating the shift towards more sustainable operations.
Stewart Good, sales director for SME lending at Paragon Bank, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Emma and Andy to the SME lending team.
“Emma’s broker-side expertise and Andy’s decades of leadership in asset finance align well with our strategic ambitions and their arrival marks an exciting chapter for our division.
“Their combined expertise and ambition will be instrumental in driving our growth and delivering tailored financial solutions to our clients.”
The bank sees commercial lending as central to its long-term strategy, with green energy emerging as a key growth area as UK businesses seek to decarbonise and upgrade their infrastructure.
