Privately-owned principal lender, Signature Private Finance, has promoted Nazia Yaqub to the position of relationship manager.

Signature is implementing a new approach to its lending process, automating where possible, but expecting team members to own deals from enquiry to exit.

Based in the firm’s Birmingham head office, Yaqub (pictured) is responsible for building strong relationship with brokers across the Midlands and brings years of banking experience to the position, following previous roles with Royal Bank of Scotland and Barclays.

Tony Gilbertson, Signature CEO, said: “We are ahead of schedule, having recently reached our lending target of £100M a few months early and now we have to push on for a further £150m over the next few years.

“I’m confident Nazia fits the profile of the relationship managers we are seeking to help us build on our current momentum and exceed the targets we have set.

“Our approach now is to build strong relationships with brokers based on what they and their clients need, not what’s necessarily easiest for us – whether they bring us one deal or one hundred.

“Nazia understands we are an alternative lender approaching the market with a different proposition that puts the client at the heart of our unique brand of short-term property finance. She has the personal skills and attitude this business needs to achieve the next milestone.”

Yaqub added: “Signature has a great range of products, from revolving credit facilities to commercial bridging and it sticks to the promises made at initial offer. And that’s refreshing.

“I’m confident with my extensive list of contacts and the Signature offering, I have the opportunity to build the strong client relationships that will deliver continuing success for the business, to say nothing of my career progression.”