Specialist lender Together has expanded its professional sector team by appointing Mel Fourie as its new regional development director.
Mel, who has nearly two decades of experience in financial services, joins from SME lending platform RateSetter, where she was strategic partnership manager, covering the north of England.
Previously, she worked as a regional development manager in the corporate and commercial sectors for Funding Circle and spent more than 13 years as a regional business manager for Barclays, where she was involved in business banking, delivering funding to clients across the North West, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
While working for the bank, she was heavily involved in building partnerships with banks such as Natwest, Santander and Lloyds, coaching and developing colleagues, and working with high net worth clients.
In her new role at Together, Mel will focus on building strong relationships with SMEs, property developers, investors and entrepreneurs across the North West.
Mel said:
I’m so lucky to already have such a huge network across the North West, with introducers, bankers and clients, which I have supported for many years. Together’s product offering, along with the group’s philosophy of common sense lending are something fresh in the market, that I can be really proud of and that I can share with all my contacts.”
Mel, who has a son and fosters children, also worked as an inspirational speaker and is a trustee of Holly Grove School for children with special needs in Burnley.
With her husband Tim, a former South African professional rugby player, she has raised tens of thousands of pounds for the school over the past nine years.
Daniel Owen-Parr, head of professional and auction at Together, said:
We have known Mel for a number of years and are delighted that she has now joined our business as we grow our presence across mainland UK.
“Her background in financial services speaks for itself. She will be a great addition to our team and we’re looking forward to working with her.”