Specialist lender Reward Funding has promoted group managing director Nick Smith to chief executive as the business looks to build on recent growth and increased deal activity across the UK SME finance market.
The lender also confirmed that group financial director David Harrop has been promoted to chief financial officer as part of what it described as the next phase of its strategic development.
Smith (main picture) has spent a decade with the business and has played a key role in expanding Reward’s lending platform, growing its regional footprint and refining its proposition for introducers and SME borrowers. He has also become a shareholder in the firm as part of the leadership change.
The announcement follows a year of expansion for the lender, which said it passed a £350m loan book for the first time in its 15-year history and has now provided more than £1.45bn of funding to over 2,000 clients since launch.
SUPPORTING SMEs
Smith says: “After a record 2025, this year is already off to a great start, and I couldn’t be prouder to be taking on the CEO role at this pivotal time for Reward. The progress we have made reflects the strength of our team, the trust of our introducers and the resilience of the businesses we support every day.”
He adds: “The current climate is tough for SMEs and we’re here to support them. The simple truth for SMEs is that volatility delays decisions, tightens cash flow and stifles growth.
“As the original alternative finance provider, Reward was built to move faster than traditional funding models. Our job is simple, give ambitious businesses the speed and flexibility they need to seize opportunity.”
FUNDING CERTAINTY
David Harrop, Chief Financial Officer, says: “Following our successful institutional capital raise in 2025, we have posted another 12 months of profitable growth and sit with significant committed funds to deploy to support our SME clients.
“My job as CFO is to ensure Reward continues to scale responsibly by delivering the strong financial backing our customers rely on. In challenging times we deliver funding certainty.”
Reward has also expanded its team across the Midlands, London and the North East over the past year as demand for alternative finance continues to rise among SMEs facing tighter mainstream lending conditions.
