Dorset’s MSP Capital makes two director promotions

Property finance lender MSP Capital has promoted two senior team members to its board of directors.

Nicky Hollamby and Lee Merrifield, who both joined the Poole-based firm in 2017, step up from associate director roles having taken on extra strategic responsibilities in the past year.

It’s the first time MSP Capital has announced top-level board appointments since April 2018.   

Chartered accountant Nicky is the firm’s new finance director, while chartered banker Lee has become director of credit.

Nicky was previously an auditor at Grant Thornton, where she worked with clients ranging from small owner-managed businesses to PLCs.

At MSP Capital, she’s helped grow the ability of the finance department to provide real-time data and analysis to inform decision making.

Her role has deepened substantially over the years, and she’s been involved in a series of key transactions.

As finance director, Nicky is now tasked with driving the direction of the firm’s strategic funding programme, building on its relationships with institutional investors.

She’ll also oversee operational finance activities with borrowers, including financial crime compliance.

Director of credit Lee spent 28 years at NatWest, where he worked extensively with real estate clients and gained experience in both the residential and commercial property sectors.

His main focus was on funding, risk assessment and credit control for clients in Bournemouth and Southampton.

At MSP Capital, Lee has applied his lending experience to decisions on funding solutions and the firm’s credit appetite.

He also provides guidance on how best to reach potential borrowers through self-generation and marketing. 

Both Nicky and Lee took on associate director roles at the end of 2022, with remits to enhance MSP Capital’s flexibility, responsiveness and entrepreneurship in the market.

Martin Higgins, managing director at MSP Capital, said: “These much-deserved moves are a natural progression in our growth journey.

“They recognise the responsibilities that Nicky and Lee have both taken on in the past year as experienced, talented and dedicated professionals keen to further the business and achieve the best outcomes for our clients.

“By recognising the skillsets and career ambitions of our fellow directors, we’re ensuring that MSP Capital continues to go from strength to strength in the best possible hands.

“These promotions strengthen our holistic skillset at director level and will, in turn, bolster our position as the lender of choice for development and bridging finance.”

Founded in 1981, MSP Capital is a principal development and bridging lender, offering solutions for sums up to £20 million.