Local expertise with UK wide coverage

Colin James
Co-Head of Origination, South West

Colin has over 25 years banking experience in Bank of Scotland and Barclays in roles encompassing Commercial and Corporate Banking, Leveraged Finance and Equity Investment.

As part of HBOS Integrated Finance, Colin led MBOs and other equity transactions and at Barclays he led the South of England debt team, providing debt to SMEs.

Mike Millington
Regional Director, Midlands

Mike has a wide range of SME banking experience having worked in the Mid-market and Commercial banking space for RBS, NatWest, Thincats and recently as a broker with Swoop Finance.

Mike has over 30 years banking experience in supporting businesses across the Midlands finding the right funding solutions for clients.

Alistair Dalzell
Senior Advisor and Chair of Credit Committee

Alistair took over from Peter Stevens as Chair of Credit Committee in 2022. He is the ultimate decision maker on credit approvals.

Alistair has an extensive career in Investment, Corporate and SME banking gained in both the UK and USA. He was previously Head of Credit for the RBS England and Wales and NatWest business that was to become Williams & Glyn. His experience includes establishing and developing Credit Risk functions, spearheading strategy and change programmes, negotiating business sales, including addressing staff T&C's with suitors, staff and Unions, being a constructive member of the Business and Risk Leadership Boards and, as appropriate, an interface with PRA (Prudential Regulation Authority).

Daniel Rodrigues
Head of Credit

Daniel joined SME Capital in 2017. He is focused on credit assessment, deal structuring and transaction execution, and is involved the ongoing development of our credit processes.

Prior to SME Capital, Daniel worked as Credit Officer in Leveraged Finance and High Yield at UBS Investment Bank before transferring to the Leveraged and Acquisition Origination team. As a Credit Officer he prepared credit approval and approved Leveraged Finance and HY transactions within delegated authority. Prior to UBS, Daniel worked at Fortis Bank and CIBC markets in the Portfolio Management team in Leveraged Finance.

Daniel holds an MSc (equivalent) Business Administration degree from the Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Lisbon

James Kaberry
Non-Executive Chairman

James co-founded SME Capital in 2014. Now as Non-Executive Chairman he works with the Board to oversee the delivery of the vision to be the go to lender for UK SMEs

James developed an acute understanding of the SME market in his role as CEO of Pantheon Financial Ltd, one of the UK’s largest IFA groups which he founded in 2000. James subsequently sold it to Friends Life in 2007 before repurchasing it in 2010 and reselling again in 2017.

James is a serial entrepreneur having been involved with multiple companies from the outset, ranging from wind farms to successful web applications.

Kate Kennedy
COO

Kate joined SME Capital in 2019 as COO, overseeing business operations, new channel and product development.

Kate has over 20 years’ experience leading teams globally in Managing Director, Commercial Strategy and Digital roles in Financial Services and Consumer sectors. She also advises CEOs and Boards. Most recently she was Chief Digital Officer and Strategy Director at Travelex. Previously she was management consulting retail businesses such as WHSmith and Bain & Co.

Mike Ellwood
Strategic Advisor

Mike is strategic advisor to SME Capital. A senior banker with over 30 years experience in structured finance, he had significant spells with RBS as Managing Director for Mid Market Structured Finance and Santander, where he built the UK Corporate and Commercial Banking business to £20bn of assets, including £1bn in their Growth Capital offering.

Mike now has a portfolio of Chairman and Non Executive Director roles across a variety of sectors.

Robert Hulse
Head of Channel Development

Rob joined in May 2022 and has been in financial services, helping SMEs achieve funding since 2005.

He has a breadth of experience across multiple financial products and has developed and led multi-channel origination teams within several alternative lending organisations. His passion is working with SMEs directly and building relationships with business introducers such as Brokers and Accountants. He has extensive experience providing funding opportunities for startups, fast-growing companies, and established SMEs.