On the move: the latest East Midlands hires

ThinCats, the Ashby-de-la-Zouch alternative finance lending specialist, has announced a senior hire to cover the Midlands region.

Rav Bagri joins ThinCats as origination manager, Midlands.

The news comes after the company announced a £200m funding programme in conjunction with its parent company ESF Capital.

Bagri boasts 29 years’ experience in retail and commercial banking, most recently as Head of Commercial Banking at Unity Trust Bank. Has also spent time at Santander Corporate and Commercial as business development director, and 25 years at senior management level with Nationwide Building Society.

Bagri said: “I’m happy to join a skilled and successful team at ThinCats. The company has a truly innovative way of deploying institutional capital, and the new £200m fund shows confidence in the business and displays its longevity. I can’t wait to get started and talk to growing businesses who are looking for funding to expand.”

Damon Walford, CDO at ThinCats adds: “Rav’s vast experience give him an impressive inner knowledge of working with SMEs; the challenges that they face and how to successfully support their growth aspirations.

“He is planning to build on this experience to develop rewarding relationships with SMEs, brokers and intermediaries across the Midlands, and we’re delighted to have him on board as ThinCats enters its next phase of growth.”

Gary Hutchins

Nottingham-based Birchwood Price Tools has hired Gary Hutchins as its new sales director.

Gary has joined BPT from Rexel, where he was regional director for electrical wholesalers WF Senate.

He said: “What excites me are the strong brands and the quality of the products BPT offer and the opportunity to take these brands into new distribution channels.”

Birchwood Price Tools is part of Travis Perkins.