Specialist direct lender Beechbrook Capital, which backs small and medium-sized businesses in the UK, has further strengthened its Manchester-based regional office team with the appointment of Jon Petty as Associate Director.

Jon joins from Deloitte, where he spent five years in their Manchester-based Debt Advisory practice, advising on a wide range of financing projects.

Previously, he had spent four years in the Royal Bank of Scotland Structured Finance team.

Jon will support Beechbrook investment director Matt Kenny, who joined in April to head up the company’s Manchester office.

Jon Herbert, Managing Director of Beechbrook’s UK SME Credit fund, said:

"We are delighted Jon is joining the Manchester team.

The North of the UK is of key strategic importance to the fund and we look forward to supporting Matt and Jon in originating high quality investments in growing regional businesses."

Beechbrook Capital, which supports businesses with a turnover of between £10 million and £100 million and EBITDA of more than £1 million, held a final close of its first UK SME Credit fund at the beginning of the year, with commitments in excess of £150 million.

The fund has already completed 11 investments and is now over 50 per cent invested.

Its two most recent investments are Wilton & Bain, a specialist provider of executive search services and interim management to the technology and professional services sector, and Nu-Heat, a leading UK supplier of underfloor heating products.

http://www.beechbrookcapital.com/