Paragon Bank today announces the expansion of its SME Lending division with two new tactical appointments to drive forward green energy ambitions - reinforcing the bank’s commitment to delivering tailored finance supporting the growth of thousands of SMEs across the UK.
With over three decades of experience in the asset finance industry, Andy Craggs joins Paragon Bank to lead on the SME Lending division’s green energy offering, part of the business’ ongoing ambition to support SMEs with the transition to net zero. He reports directly into John Phillipou, Managing Director of the SME Lending division and Chair of the Finance & Leasing Association.
Craggs has previously held several senior leadership roles, including a long tenure as Managing Director at ECS Group, and most recently as Business Development Manager at Premier, a brokerage which has transacted over 15,000 agreements and over £1 billion worth of finance for SMEs and is part of Paragon Banking Group.
With extensive experience in commercial finance and business development—particularly within the dynamic green energy sector—his proven track record of supporting SMEs, combined with a robust network of energy generators and green technology installers across the UK, will play a pivotal role in accelerating Paragon’s growth in the green energy market nationwide.
Emma Gorman also joins the SME Lending team, bringing over 13 years of experience in the SME broker space with a specialism in asset finance. She has held roles at several well-known banks, including Hampshire Trust Bank, Macquarie Bank and Aldermore Bank, and has also worked for an asset finance brokerage.
Emma’s deep understanding of the broker market and her extensive experience in asset finance make her a valuable addition to the team, where she will play a key role in strengthening Paragon’s broker relationships and expanding its asset finance offering to SMEs UK-wide.
Commercial lending is key to Paragon Bank’s growth strategy. Last financial year saw the business increase lending by 7.3% to over £480 million across its SME Lending division, in addition to an expansion of the business line’s loan book.
Stewart Good, Sales Director of SME Lending at Paragon Bank, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Emma and Andy to the SME Lending team. Emma’s broker-side expertise and Andy’s decades of leadership in asset finance align well with our strategic ambitions and their arrival marks an exciting chapter for our division. Their combined expertise and ambition will be instrumental in driving our growth and delivering tailored financial solutions to our clients.”
