Carrick Asset Finance has announced the appointment of Martin Stewart as Managing Director.

He takes over from Gerry Moon who is moving to the position of Non-Executive Chairman at the firm.

Moon, a well-known industry figure who has previously led UK asset finance operations for Fortis Lease and Macquarie, said:

‘We’ve assembled a really strong management team at Carrick and I’m extremely pleased Martin has agreed to take on responsibility for leading us into the next phase of our growth.

I have worked with Martin for nearly 20 years through various businesses and there’s no doubt he has the energy, skills and experience to drive us forward. He has carried out several senior finance roles in each of the leasing companies I have been involved in, and he excelled in supporting those businesses achieve their strategic objectives.      

Although I will be stepping back from day-to-day activities, as Non-Executive Chairman I will continue to work closely with the Board on a variety of matters including wider strategic issues and also on the ongoing Coronavirus’ pandemic.’

The Board team to which Moon refers includes Iain Corbett, Gordon MacGregor and Gary Slavin who respectively hold sales, risk and operations directorships and have some 75 years of combined industry experience between them.

Martin commented:

‘I am delighted to be taking up the role of Managing Director at Carrick. Since establishing the company under Gerry’s leadership in October 2018, we have grown quickly into a stable and sustainable business with a very positive market profile. I am very much looking forward to taking us onto the next stage of our evolution’

Martin further commented: ‘ the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic presents serious challenges and it is of paramount importance to help our intermediary network and their customers through what is a very difficult period. I know Gerry and the rest of the board are of a similar mindset’

Asked about Moon’s decision to move into a non-executive role, Stewart also added:

‘Gerry has contributed a huge amount to getting this business to where it is today, and it is essential we continue to benefit from the drive and focus for which he is so well-known across the asset finance industry.

He is vastly experienced and, along with Bruce Wood, we now have an enviable capability at non-executive level that my management colleagues and I intend to utilise to its fullest extent to not only guide us through the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic but also the challenges that will undoubtedly lie ahead.’    

Carrick operates as a lender in the asset finance sector and focuses on funding business-critical assets for SME customers sourced through a panel of approved brokers. The company was established with the assistance of a financing facility from Bank of London & Middle East and the businesses continue to enjoy a close working relationship.