UK-based invoice and trade finance provider Pulse Finance has announced the appointment of Matt Speed as head of sales. 

Pulse Finance, which provides facilities of between £200k and £5mn to businesses seeking to unlock working capital, said Speed is tasked with helping more UK businesses manage cash flow and navigate an increasingly challenging economic environment. 

He joins after more than six years as senior regional director at Ultimate Finance, a Tavistock Group company that provides invoice, asset, bridging and trade finance. He was previously a regional director at the same company between 2009 and 2016. 

Speed was also founding director of Woodsford Trade Finance, providing purchase and transaction finance to SMEs, and has held roles at Bank Leumi, Bank of Scotland, Venture Finance and HSBC. 

Hampshire-headquartered Pulse Finance said the appointment comes as SMEs grapple with rising operating costs, inflationary pressures, supply chain disruption and extended payment terms. 

“Access to reliable working capital has never been more important for businesses seeking to maintain stability and capitalise on growth opportunities,” it said. 

Speed said: “SMEs are facing significant challenges in today’s market, but there are also tremendous opportunities for businesses that have the right funding support behind them.” 

Martin Bennison, sales and marketing director at the company, added that Speed “will play a key role in shaping our future growth strategy, strengthening relationships with introducers and advisers, and ensuring we continue to provide outstanding funding solutions to UK SMEs”.