Alternative lender Sancus announces new managing director

The alternative finance services firm has announced that Dan Walker will take over from current MD Caroline Langron in January 2018.

Walker will be responsible for leading the company’s business strategy and growth, and be a new addition to Sancus BMS Group’s executive committee. The move comes as Langron prepares to move into retirement at the end of December, but intends to remain a non-executive consultant for some key Sancus projects.

Previously of Linklaters, Lloyds Banking Group and Varengold Bank, Walker brings with him significant experience of secured financial solutions for small businesses, particularly in equity and corporate finance advisory services.

In providing Supply Chain Finance to SMEs and entrepreneurs, Sancus Finance aims to ensure faster payment to suppliers, and additionally provide flexible working capital funding for its clients. Over the past four years, its parent Sancus BMS Group has lent over £700m of funding to businesses.

The group is part of GLI Finance, which acquired peer-to-peer lending platform FundingKnight in 2016. Earlier this year, FundingKnight was moved into Sancus BMS Group, was awarded full FCA authorisation in July.

Andrew Whelan, CEO of Sancus BMS Group, commented: “We are delighted that Dan has decided to join the business. His pedigree is excellent and will support our ambitious plans not only for Sancus Finance but for the wider group.”

Walker continued: “The alternative finance market has an important role to play in meeting the financing needs of businesses today. The opportunity to join a growing and dynamic business in this sector, with such strong lending principles and access to large funding pools, was impossible to ignore.”