Specialist lender Together has hired Darren Clarke as the group’s Commercial Finance chief operating officer.

The Cheshire-based firm says industry veteran Clarke “will have responsibility for the lender’s Commercial Finance operational processes and infrastructure to support its ambitious growth strategy”.

Clarke joins from Letchworth-based Redwood Bank, where he worked as director of operations for the challenger since its launch in 2017, providing funding for small and medium-sized businesses.

Prior to that, Darren held positions in retail banking and commercial finance during a 20-year career at HSBC before joining Santander where he led business banking transformation, among other roles.

Together says his appointment comes as the firm, which has a £4bn loan book, continues to automate its back-office functions to provide a smoother service for customers and brokers.

Together commercial chief executive Marc Goldberg says Clarke “has 30 years experience working for some of the leading high street lenders. His vast knowledge of risk and compliance, and his proven ability to transform working practices and improve customer journeys will be of huge benefit to our business as we continue to grow.”

Clarke adds: “I’m really looking forward to contributing to the continued growth by helping to create a more resilient and dynamic organisation which is best placed to support British businesses as we begin the return to normality following lockdown.”

In March, Together completed its first small balance commercial mortgage-backed securitisation.

The £200 securitisation was made up of first and second charge mortgages backed against small value commercial, residential and mixed-use properties in England, Scotland and Wales.