UK small and medium-sized business financer Bibby Financial Services has added to its team by appointing Ruth Bethel as business development manager.

Bethel is responsible for raising awareness of Bibby’s niche trade finance products in the south west and south coast of the UK.

She has more than 30 years of banking experience, drawn from a career that has seen Bethel work for Barclays, First National Invoice Finance and, most recently, RBS.

“Ruth’s appointment comes at a particularly exciting and important time for Bibby Financial Services,” says Andy Meadwell, spokesperson for the firm.

“With many traditional providers of funding reducing their support for small and medium-sized businesses, we are keen that owners and managers across the UK are aware that there is support and funding available through our facilities. Ruth’s appointment in the south is critical to our strategy to grow our business and introduce more importers and exporters to the specialist services we offer,” he adds.

Last month, Bibby hired ex-Bank of Ireland banker Tracy Grazioli as a business development manager.