Responsible Finance supporter AskIf has appointed two new team members this month to aid delivery of CV-19 loans.
Joanna Hill, former CEO of Start Up Loans, has been appointed as Commercial Director at AskIf, a Responsible Finance supporter and Accredited Lender under the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme.
Hill was instrumental in building the Start Up Loans Company, which supported 50,000 Startups during her time there. She will bring her wealth of experience in enabling funding for developing businesses, ensuring UK SMEs can access funding made available through the scheme.
AskIf has also appointed a new Head of Credit Risk, Arnon Aviram, from Santander. Aviram is an experienced financial services and banking professional, specialising in SME lending and Corporate and Commercial Banking.
Hill said: “’I’m delighted to be working with the team at this crucial time. The company has already achieved so much, but I know we can do more, and help more people and businesses in the future. The opportunity to be involved in supporting UK SMEs facing difficulties as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic really appealed to me and the AskIf approach and values made this opportunity irresistible. AskIf seeks to really understand the story and the people behind each business and the whole team is motivated to make a difference.”
Sam Bamert, Founder and CEO of AskIf, commented: “I’m delighted to welcome Joanna and Arnon to the AskIf team. At this difficult time I felt it was important to build a strong team who understood the challenges UK SMEs are facing. Arnon’s credit risk expertise, coupled with Joanna’s huge experience and ability to get things done, perfectly complements the rest of the AskIf team, and means we are ready, willing and able to disburse funds under CBILS. We hope the support we provide will improve the sustainability of all the businesses we fund during and post the period of Coronavirus disruption.”
What next?
- As of 20 April, Responsible Finance members and supporters accredited under the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme had lent over £7 million to over 100 small businesses and microenterprises through the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme.
- Our members and supporters could address a £100m funding gap for small businesses.