STB CF strengthens team with senior appointment

Secure Trust Bank Commercial Finance (STB CF), the asset-based lending (ABL) division of Secure Trust Bank, has appointed David Ward as Portfolio & Structuring Director.

Based in London and supporting clients across the UK, Ward will oversee a broad portfolio of corporate asset-based lending (ABL) clients. His role will centre on structuring and delivering funding solutions across STB CF’s full range of ABL products.

Ward brings more than three decades of experience in the invoice finance and ABL market, with an extensive background in client relationship and portfolio management. He joins from ABN AMRO’s UK ABL business, where he led Relationship & Asset Management for Corporate and International clients. Earlier in his career, he held senior corporate structured finance positions at GE Capital, and served as an underwriter and portfolio leader at GMAC Commercial Finance. He also held the role of Operations Director at NMB-Heller.

His appointment comes amid continued growth for STB CF and underlines the firm’s focus on strengthening relationships with private equity sponsors while supporting ambitious mid-market businesses throughout the UK.

Ward said he was drawn to STB CF’s strong reputation for completing transactions through a relationship-led approach that resonates with clients. He added that he is looking forward to working closely with businesses to support their working capital needs and growth ambitions.

He noted that while the ABL market remains highly competitive with significant liquidity available, companies continue to prioritise speed of decision-making and lenders that take a genuinely solution-driven approach. In the current uncertain economic climate, he believes certainty of delivery and a partnership-led mindset from trusted lenders are key factors for both new and existing clients, and he expressed enthusiasm about helping to deliver that at STB CF.

Sean Powell, Managing Director at STB CF, described Ward’s experience across corporate ABL, structuring and portfolio management as a significant asset to the business, its clients and private equity partners. He highlighted Ward’s track record in leading complex transactions as reinforcing the firm’s ambition to support growth-focused businesses with bespoke, multi-asset funding facilities, and welcomed him to the team.