Paragon Bank’s SME lending division has appointed Richard van Dort as head of business development vendor.

With over 30 years’ experience in asset finance and banking, van Dort has built an extensive network and held senior leadership roles shaping global vendor programmes and forging strategic, sustainable funding partnerships across the industry.

At DLL, most recently he led the development of innovative funding products and strategies for global vendor and direct enterprise partners. In an earlier role at the company, established and grew the UK’s non-vendor direct funding market for key enterprise accounts.

Prior to DLL, van Dort held senior positions at GE Capital, overseeing the development of high-value vendor programmes and direct partnerships across industrial, transport and logistics, construction and materials handling sectors.

He will work alongside Terry Lloyd, head of vendor. While van Dort will focus on business development and strategic growth, Lloyd will continue to drive operational performance through his team.

Commenting on his appointment van Dort (pictured far left) said: “I’ve watched Paragon’s growth and admired the team’s ambition for some time. The attraction of working with a UK-based funder with agility, talented people and a clear strategy and defined markets was a real draw for me. In this role I plan to grow a foothold across a range of sectors – waste, transport, healthcare, trailers, aviation and intralogistics to name a few – and to build sustainable, long-term partnerships based on trust and responsiveness.”

“Now more than ever, customers want lenders that do what they say, offering flexibility and tailoring products suitable to their needs. Paragon truly delivers on that promise.”