Reward Finance Group has appointed four new people, having doubled its headcount to 20 in less than a year.

The Leeds and Manchester-based alternative finance provider set another monthly income record, gained 15 new clients, and added £6m of lending in the first month of the year.

Joining the business development team are Parisa Lian and Joanna Haigh, with portfolio management support being bolstered by two further new recruits in Georgia Edge and Bethany Hunnebell.

Lian joins from Yorkshire Bank having spent 11 years in business banking, the last five of which she specialised in supporting clients to help improve profitability and business performance.

Haigh also joins from Yorkshire Bank where she was senior business sales adviser assisting with asset finance deals.

Lian said: “Reward Finance is an extremely ambitious company, which is expanding rapidly, and I believe the skills I have developed in the banking sector will enable me to make a valuable contribution to help maintain its impressive growth.”

Nick Smith, Reward Finance’s group sales and marketing director, added: “Research shows that an increasing number of customers are choosing alternative lending due to frustrations with mainstream banks whose application processes are over-complicated and decision making takes too long.

“Not only do many businesses need quick answers and a certainty of funds, they also want to deal with and talk to real people who will provide them with an excellent service during the application process and throughout the whole client journey.

“To cater for this increase in demand it is essential we have experienced people who can meet with potential clients, assess the situation quickly and ensure the funds are provided when needed.

“We continue to build a high quality team and it is great to welcome Parisa and Joanna who will be working with new prospects and Georgia and Bethany who will help ensure the deals run smoothly.”

(Pictured, L-R: Parisa Lian, Joanna Haigh, Bethany Hunnebell and Georgia Edge).