Charles Street Finance has appointed two new team members and relocated to a new headquarters as it targets a £1bn loan book.
The specialist lender, which provides bridging and development finance alongside commercial, semi-commercial and buy-to-let mortgages, has moved into 26,000 sq ft offices at Lakeside 5500, Cheadle Royal Business Park in Stockport.
Thomas Ratcliffe (main picture, left) has joined as relations manager, while Louise Ward (main picture, right) has been appointed customer retentions manager as the firm looks to strengthen its presence across the UK specialist lending market.
SUPPORTING BROKERS
Ratcliffe joins from his family’s North West-based development and investment business, Ratcliffe Property Group, where he led the Swan Green development of 30 homes in Lower Peover, Cheshire. At Charles Street, he will manage client relationships, supporting brokers, investors and developers.
He says: “I’ve been passionate about property since leaving school, having worked for estate agents and property groups, as well as in the family business, developing residential property.
“In my new role, I will predominantly provide bridging loans for acquisition and, working with our development team, providing development exit loans, as well as longer term commercial finance. At Charles Street, we pride ourselves on the flexibility of our products and how quickly we can provide the clear, pragmatic funding solutions our broker partners and clients are looking for.”
He added: “It’s a really great opportunity to be able to join the company at an exciting time of growth and I’m looking forward to using my background in property to provide a fresh approach.”
THE RIGHT SOLUTIONS
Ward, a Manchester University graduate originally from Birmingham, brings experience from HSBC, where she worked as a personal banker and specialist distributor 3MC, where she was an underwriting manager.
She said: “At Charles Street, I will be working with all different functions and stakeholders across the business in an interesting role, involving further supporting existing clients with short or longer term finance and providing the right solutions for them.
“I’m joining an amazing and dedicated team as we move into our new headquarters – we’re already feeling like a family.”
OPEN-DOOR POLICY
Carl Graham, corporate relationship director at Charles Street, says: “The new office is part of our continued growth and allows us to further expand our business. We’re continuing to invest in young talent from the local community. We are massive advocates of graduates and apprentices
“The professional setting means that we can offer an open-door policy for potential customers; brokers, introducers and other professionals, to come to hot desk from our new offices. It will allow us to showcase the workspace and further embed our client relationships.”
