Barclays has made five new appointments to its trade team. The new hires mark the further growth of Barclays trade finance business, which the bank has committed to expanding in order improve products and services for customers.

The five new hires will join the trade risk control unit, part of Barclays International trade and cash solutions team.

Chris Engel has been appointed deputy head of the trade risk control unit and head of the trade credit team. Formerly head of credit at Absa in London, Engel brings over 20 years’ experience in trade finance.

John Tyson and Ammar Rana join the trade risk control unit respectively as senior trade corporate credit manager and trade corporate credit manager. Tyson previously worked in the Barclays trade finance sales team, while Rana worked for BP Oil International and Mitsui.

Josie McGowen and West LB hire, Darren Goodwin have been appointed head and deputy head of documentation and security management. These new positions mean that Barclays trade finance documentation and security functions have now been incorporated into the trade risk control unit.

These new appointments follow the addition of five new directors to the trade finance team in December, and a number of high-profile hires in this business over the last year.

Angela Potter, head of international trade and cash solutions, Barclays Business Banking, says: “We’re excited about the expansion of our trade finance team, particularly the risk control unit, which will respond to additional levels of risk control demanded by regulations such as Sarbanes-Oxley. We will look to continue the expansion of Barclays trade business to provide improved products and services to our customers, both through hiring experienced trade financiers in addition to nurturing existing talent.”