Ultimate Finance has appointed Neil Curtis as regional director of Asset Finance in its Bristol office.

Curtis (pictured) has 25 years’ experience in asset-based finance. Having started his career in IT funding with GE Capital, he spent a short period as a broker before moving to Shawbrook Bank.

More recently he worked in the finance division of Caterpillar, where he specialised in providing finance for companies to purchase plant and machinery.

Curtis will be providing asset finance to SMEs across all sectors around the M5 corridor and the South West.

He said: “I have known the managing director of Ultimate Asset Finance, Andy Ribbins, for some time. He always speaks with great enthusiasm about the company’s and has kept me up to date with the ambitious growth plans and significant funds being made available by its parent company Tavistock.

“Having worked as both a lender and broker, I was really attracted by Ultimate’s desire to lend, which is a refreshing change to some financial institutions that look for reasons not to do so or are slow to make decisions.

“With the go-ahead given for the nuclear plant at Hinkley Point I am ideally placed to target the construction companies and ancillary trades who may be looking to add plant and machinery to their inventory.”

Ribbins added: “Neil has always impressed me with his knowledge and all round experience within the asset-based lending market and I know he will be a tremendous addition to the team.

“The asset finance division is experiencing exceptional growth with new records for funds out being set month after month. We are therefore keen to recruit experienced and well connected personnel, like Neil, who can help us maintain the momentum and reach our ambitious targets.”