United Trust Bank has hired Eleanor Russell-Blackburn as a business development manager to lead the lender’s asset finance broker support in Scotland.

Russell-Blackburn joins from Shawbrook Bank where she was a senior business development manager and worked closely with brokers and customers from the pre-credit submission stage on mid-ticket and larger transactions.

UTB says Russell-Blackburn has “considerable experience” in the Scottish market after starting her asset finance career at Haydock Finance as an internal account manager, progressing into a regional manager role covering Scotland and developing relationships across a network of brokers serving Scottish businesses.

Russell-Blackburn, who recently moved to Tweeddale, in the Scottish Borders, will report to United Trust Bank asset finance head of sales Astrid Michael.

Earlier this month, the bank said it planned to hire a business development manager to serve Scotland and grow its presence in the area.

United Trust Bank head of asset finance Nathan Mollett says: “Scotland presents a significant opportunity for UTB asset finance with many well-established and thriving industries largely underserved by the asset finance market.

“Eleanor’s experience of working in Scotland with brokers supporting a diverse range of Scottish SMEs makes her the perfect person to lead our push north of the border.”

Russell-Blackburn adds she plans to “catch up with broker contacts old and new over the coming weeks”.