Venture Structured Finance today announces the appointment of two additional Regional Directors, Peadar O’Reilly for Manchester and David Coulton for the Thames Valley area. These key appointments will bolster the Premier Asset Based Financier’s sales force, as the division ramps up its efforts to help UK businesses survive the economic downturn.

Peadar will work alongside existing Regional Director Neil Topping in the Manchester management team, bringing with him 12 years’ financial services industry experience, the last seven of which have been in Asset Based Lending (ABL). Prior to joining Venture, Peadar was a Director in the mid-corporate team at the Bank of Ireland (BOI), specialising in ABL and structured debt. He also helped set up the BOI’s ABL division in the UK – Enterprise Finance Europe – and worked on the division’s first Public to Private ABL transaction.

David is Venture’s first Regional Director for the Thames Valley region. Prior to joining Venture, he was a Regional Director at GE Business Finance specialising in incorporating a complete range of ABL and Cashflow facilities to medium sized businesses. David has also held a Regional Directorship at GMAC, where he was tasked with identifying new business in the Thames Valley region.

Peadar and David will use their industry experience to grow Venture Structured Finance in their respective regions. Both will focus on delivering fully-fledged ABL packages including provisions for Cashflow Term Loans.

Peadar O’Reilly, Regional Director, Venture Structured Finance comments: “Many firms are looking for viable refinancing and even turnaround funding options, and ABL can be invaluable in providing liquidity for restructuring. I’m looking forward to working with the local advisory community to help the region’s businesses negotiate the downturn.”

David Coulton, Regional Director, Venture Structured Finance comments: “As Venture celebrates its first 20 years, I’m excited to be part of the ever-growing business.  It certainly symbolises the company’s commitment to supporting UK companies through turbulent times.”

Steve Websdale, Venture Structured Finance Managing Director, comments: “Despite the economic downturn, Venture is very much open for business in our 20th year in operation, and we are keen to recruit top industry talent. It is going to be an unpredictable year for UK businesses, but with Peadar and David bolstering an already strong team, Venture Structured Finance has unrivalled experience to help businesses through to the other side of the economic cloud.

“We are one of the pioneers of ABL in the UK, structuring our first deal in 1990, and have seen businesses through both good and challenging times. As part of the ABN AMRO group and ultimately owned by the Dutch Government, we are a tremendously solid partner in turbulent times.”