Close Brothers Asset Finance grows Scotland team

Close Brothers Asset Finance has announced the appointment of three industry specialists to boost its presence in Scotland and drive business growth.

Reporting into the firm’s managing director in Scotland, Colin Swanston, will be Gordon MacGregor, corporate director; Suzanne Smith, corporate manager, and Gary Kidd, corporate manager.

The team, who all join from Lombard, have over 60 years experience combined in asset finance and will be based out of the company’s Glasgow office.

Mr MacGregor spent the last 15 years at Lombard, most recently as director of asset finance for the East of Scotland. He was previously at Clydesdale Bank, Asset Finance and Bank of Scotland, Asset Finance.

Ms Smith also spent 15 years at Lombard, where she was a relationship director, responsible for the SME asset finance market. She was formerly at Giro Bank, also in relationship management.

Mr Kidd will focus on SME and corporate markets, after fulfilling a similar role at Lombard for 12 years. Gary also spent close to a decade with the Bank of Scotland.

Mr Swanston, said: “We are expanding the Scotland team and are delighted to welcome such an experienced team - between them, they bring over six decades of asset finance experience. Hiring candidates of this calibre is a real statement of intent and is a continued demonstration of our long-standing commitment to supporting the Scottish SME community.”