Reward Finance Group has appointed Steve Noble as managing director of its North West region.

Noble (pictured) has over 30 years’ experience of leading teams within financial services, as well as first-hand experience of assisting and supporting SMEs.

He joins from Ultimate Finance Group, where he was chief operating officer, prior to which he spent 20 years at RBS, and was also risk director for business finance at Aldermore.

The appointment completes the formation of the senior management team at Reward, with Noble taking over the role in the North West from Nick Smith, who has now stepped up to become group managing director, and Gemma Wright continuing her role as managing director of Yorkshire and the North East.

Smith said: “I have known and worked with Steve for many years and I could not have hoped for a better person to join us.

“With Gemma Wright heading up the Leeds office and Steve responsible for Manchester, both of whom are supported by some of the most experienced people in the finance sector, we really do have a formidable team to take the business forward.”

Noble added: “The chance to join forces with Nick, Gemma, risk director Tim Stafford and the North West team, many of whom I have had direct experience of working with in the past, was irresistible.

“Having helped to support SMEs financially for most of my career, I have admired Reward’s no-nonsense approach to funding. Its combination of business knowledge, flexibility and speed of decision-making ensures companies can access finance when they need it most.”