Close Invoice Finance strengthens the Northern commercial team

February 2008

Close Invoice Finance, part of the FTSE 250 merchant banking group Close Brothers Group plc, has made two new senior appointments at its rapidly expanding Northern Commercial Centre based in Stockport.

Helen Morton has been appointed Regional Sales Director while Brenda Loughran has joined the Northern Commercial Centre as Client Manager. The centre which was founded in 2002 currently serves a client base of 200 local businesses from its Stockport base.

Helen takes on her new role after 6 and a half years working for Close, where she most recently held the position of Client Manager. Prior to this role she worked at Royal Bank Invoice Finance (now Royal Bank of Scotland Invoice Finance) for four years as a Client Manager and Client Executive.

In her new role, Helen will be responsible for developing new business opportunities with potential clients.

Helen said she's delighted to be named Regional Sales Director at such an exciting time for the company:

"The company has a great name in the market place both nationally and locally. We have just won Best Factoring and Invoice Discounting Provider at the Business MoneyFacts Awards for the third year running and, thanks to our unique paperless invoice discounting service IDeal, we have a nationwide reputation for market leading technology and service. Locally too, we're growing really fast and there's a great team here who have a real connection with local businesses."

Supporting Helen is Brenda Loughran who recently joined Close and will take over Helen's role as Client Manager. Brenda will handle client servicing and auditing. She has 14 years experience in the sector, and has held similar positions at Davenham Trust PLC, Bibby's Financial Services and Five Arrows.

David Thomson Chief Executive of Close Invoice Finance added:

"We're delighted to have Helen and Brenda on board. Their appointments demonstrate Close's commitment to enhancing our offer for businesses in the North. Helen has already been instrumental in building a strong presence for Close in Northern England and, with Brenda's support, her experience and knowledge will prove invaluable as we develop our product and service portfolio, and move the company forward."