Alternative financier Falcon Group has hired Emma Clark as head of business development UK and Europe in a bid to feed the demand for alternative funding solutions in these markets.

Clark joins from insurance brokers RK Harrison where she held the position of executive director, business development global accounts. Before that she was head of financial services at Sony. She will be based in Falcon’s London office.

She comments on her new remit: “Historically, most of the appetite for alternative funding solutions has come from the emerging markets as global banks restrict lending to non-core business and prioritise domestic markets. The growing demand for alternative financing in more developed markets is not only indicative of the widespread impact of the constraints on global bank lending to corporates, but also of the benefits of a diversified funding portfolio. This is particularly true for the UK and Europe, and my role at Falcon Group will be to help develop business in these regions.”

According to Falcon Group CEO Will Nagle, Clark will play a “crucial” role in the growth of the company. He explains: “Corporates in the UK and Europe are growing increasingly interested in what other funding options are available. Hiring Emma is our first step in a serious move to capitalise on the new opportunities available to us in this region.”