Funding Options, the UK’s leading online marketplace for business finance, today announces Simon Cureton has been appointed as its new Commercial Director.

Simon will be responsible for developing and implementing Funding Options’ overall commercial strategy, identifying new opportunities and promoting commercial innovation across the business. Building on Funding Options’ participation in the Bank Referral Scheme, and existing successful partnerships with TSB and ING, he will work on deepening relationships with commercial and challenger banks. He will also be focusing on developing other new and existing partnerships, such as those Funding Options has already established with the likes of Auto Trader and GoCompare.

Simon has extensive experience in the alternative finance sector, having been one of the founding members at Esme Loans, and working as its Commercial Director for the past year. Prior to starting Esme, Simon worked for RBS International as part of its transformation programme and his global experience spans other world-leading financial companies including Morgan Stanley, Barclays Capital, Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Deutsche Bank.

Ryan Edwards-Pritchard, Managing Director, Funding Options, comments: “We are delighted that Simon is going to be joining Funding Options to strengthen our growing senior team. He has a wealth of experience in digital innovation and fintech, as well as an impressive track record managing and coaching teams. As we continue to grow and develop even more innovative product solutions for small businesses, we know his international expertise in managing digital platforms and designing new products will be invaluable to Funding Options.”

Simon Cureton said: “As the UK’s leading fintech credit broker for business finance, Funding Options is uniquely placed to rapidly expand its service as the alternative finance sector continues to grow. I believe it can play an increasingly important role in helping businesses to access finance across Europe, and potentially further afield. The combination of an already outstanding leadership team and the support from high calibre investors made this role an extremely compelling opportunity. I am very excited to join the team and accelerate the business’ development while helping the small walk tall.”

Simon will be joining in May and will be based in the Funding Options offices in London. This is the latest hire bolstering Funding Options’ senior team, following the recent appointments of Alastair Preacher as Chief Product Officer and Dean Spencer as Sales Director.