Ryan FowlerWeDo Business Finance has unveiled a refreshed senior leadership structure and new group name as it prepares for the next phase of its growth in SME funding and business services.
Previously known as WeDo Business Services, the group has rebranded to WeDo Business Finance to highlight its core activity in providing senior secured working capital facilities through invoice, asset and trade finance. It continues to offer additional support services across outsourced accountancy, HR, IT and back-office functions.
The newly appointed main board comprises chief executive and co-founder Mark Lindsay, chief operations officer and co-founder Chris Robinson, chief commercial officer Sam Wilson, chief risk officer Kelly Tighe, chief financial officer Andrew Nolan, HR director Jana Rackley and chairperson Carol Roberts. Roberts brings over 50 years of experience in the sector, having held senior roles at Time Finance, Bibby Leasing and GE Capital Asset Finance. She is a former chair of The Leasing Foundation and former board director of the Finance & Leasing Association.
A new executive board has also been formed, with Chris Crank, Vince Tovey and Rebekah Middleton leading the group’s invoice finance, trade finance and asset finance divisions respectively. The structure is designed to streamline access to decision-makers and better tailor services to client needs.
The business, founded in 2019 with just four staff, has grown significantly through both organic development and acquisitions. Now employing over 70 people, WeDo recently moved to a larger headquarters at Annie Kenney Mill in Chadderton, Oldham. Its lending to SMEs currently exceeds £50m, with ambitions to reach £100m in the next three years.
Mark Lindsay, chief executive, said: “As our business grows, we’ve expanded our main board by integrating extensive expertise in asset finance and financial services. This board will play a crucial role in shaping our future, ensuring the team has the tools and support needed for success.” He added: “Reflecting on our new group name, during Covid the business world needed lots of questions answering and, in response, WeDo diversified to offer multiple strands of support. As we have adjusted back to ‘normal’, we’ve realised that clients typically come to us for support when they have a particular need. Funding is often the ‘need’ that starts the client journey with WeDo.”
Lindsay continued: “We want our message to the market to be clear – we are a funder first and foremost, but we can still do more than businesses expect. SMEs are vital to the UK economy, fuelling growth, employment and innovation and often contributing positively to their local communities. While big banks often favour corporates, we champion SMEs and the entrepreneurial spirit, offering personalised, flexible and creative financial solutions to ensure sustainable growth and long-term success.”
