Blackburn-based asset finance firm targets growth with graduate jobs

Alternative lender Praetura Asset Finance is driving its growth plans with the launch of a new graduate scheme.

The Blackburn-based firm, which has already increased its staff count by 200% since January, is looking to create five trainee business development manager jobs.

Praetura Asset Finance’s MD, Mike Hartley, said: “Attracting talented graduates and young people into the business is key to our growth and enabling us to service the country’s increasing appetite for asset finance.

“Graduate schemes are a proven springboard to a long-term career and as the company has grown and matured, we’ve been able to shift our recruitment strategy from solely seeking experienced individuals to also sourcing quality talent with no finance background.

Those taken on will receive training and mentoring and be given experience in a number of departments, working with existing staff, predominantly within the sales and commercial teams, to improve their understanding of the company and develop industry skills.

Successful applicants will eventually become responsible for their own portfolio of clients.

Mike continued: “We’re a business that prides itself on customer excellence, creative problem solving and going the extra mile, which are star qualities that we look for in our staff.

“Financial ability can be taught and that’s exactly why our graduate scheme is crucial in helping us become the UK’s leading asset finance specialist.”

In 2014, which was Praetura Asset Finance’s first year of business, the firm lent more than £25m. This year, it expects that figure to reach £50m.