FOLK2FOLK appoints Claire Thayers as Chapter Development Manager
FOLK2FOLK, the national, award-winning lending platform for local and rural business announces the appointment of Claire Thayers as its Chapter Development Manager in a newly created role.
She joins FOLK2FOLK at an important growth point for the rural lending business, as it focuses on growing its Local Lending Movement to help hundreds more rural businesses across Britain access the necessary finance for growth, development and diversification. Her role will be to raise FOLK2FOLK’s profile across the South West and Three Counties regions, improving awareness of its offering to both Borrowers looking for secured debt finance and for local professional partners that can refer clients to the business. She will be responsible for integrating FOLK2FOLK within the business communities where agriculture, food and drink production, leisure and tourism are key industries in those regions. She will also be FOLK2FOLK’s representative with local chambers of commerce, borough councils and other external organisations that play an important role in our rural business communities.
Claire Thayers has been a prominent business figure in Cornwall and the Cotswolds for many years, with a proven track record of establishing successful programmes that support rural and local business growth having worked with Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, Visit Cornwall, and the Association of Gloucestershire Business Groups. Most recently, she worked with Gloucester Rugby and Gloucestershire Cricket, founding the Gloucestershire Forwards bi-monthly breakfasts to create a space where businesses and communities can meet, and start conversations to create long-term partnerships to benefit the county.
Giles Cross (CEO FOLK2FOLK): “We’re delighted that Claire has joined our growing team. Building a strong and vibrant rural economy is vital to our long-term wellbeing and Claire’s knowledge, experience and passion for local sustainable business will only strengthen FOLK2FOLK’s reputation as a trusted enabler of rural businesses, supporting their plans for growth, development and diversification. Her participation in and commitment to The Local Lending Movement will, I have no doubt, help us accelerate awareness of our offering and what we’re trying to achieve.”
Claire Thayers (Chapter Development Manager FOLK2FOLK): ‘’I feel very privileged and excited to be joining the FOLK2FOLK team. The opportunity to directly help local and rural businesses is something I am very much looking forward to getting involved in. I have been a big advocate of FOLK2FOLK since meeting them several years ago whilst living in Cornwall. I feel that they have a compelling offering that is fair to both Borrowers and Lenders, and can really make a difference to our rural economy.
FOLK2FOLK is positioning itself as the “go-to” provider for rural, local and farming businesses seeking secured finance for growth, development and diversification. Formed in 2013, the company exists to help create and sustain financially and socially successful local communities, empowering local businesses by matching them directly with Lenders seeking an inflation beating interest rate through its award-winning Peer-to-Peer lending platform.
FOLK2FOLK is a financial services provider committed to the values of decency, transparency and fair exchange, working to create positive, well priced customer outcomes in timely fashion, offering access to business finance using modern methodology whilst delivering good, old fashioned customer service.
ENDS
Notes:
Formed in 2013, FOLK2FOLK exists to help create and sustain financially and socially successful local communities, empowering local businesses requiring debt finance by matching them directly with investors through its Peer-to-Peer lending platform. FOLK2FOLK enables lenders to participate in supporting local UK businesses to grow and thrive driving positive impacts in local communities, creating job invest/opportunities and contributing to the UK economy.
FOLK2FOLK Lenders have funded loans in excess of £190m to UK business since 2013. FOLK2FOLK Lenders receive 6.5% interest p.a. on their FOLK2FOLK loans.
FOLK2FOLK uses technology not as an opportunity to dilute or remove human relationships, but to enhance them and bring them together. It remains one of the only companies of its kind to maintain and favour the existence of a local branch network. FOLK2FOLK should therefore not be described as a B2B or B2C business, but as H2H (Human2Human). FOLK2FOLK is FinTech with a face!
FOLK2FOLK now has a local presence in Cheshire, Cornwall, Cumbria, Devon, Dorset, East Anglia, Somerset, Thames Valley, Three Counties, Worcestershire & Yorkshire. Further growth is planned in 2018 and information will be made available in due course.
FOLK2FOLK is an award-winning Peer-to-Peer lending platform, having been awarded “Altfi Best Lending Platform for Small Business 2015” and “AltFi Up and Coming Business Platform of the Year 2016”. In November 2017, FOLK2FOLK was awarded “Small Business of the Year 2017” at the Western Morning News business awards.
FOLK2FOLK became authorised and regulated by the FCA in 2016 and became a member of the P2PFA in 2017.
Minimum investment in a FOLK2FOLK loan is £20,000. There is no maximum limit for investment. All loans secured against UK property or land. Peer-to-Peer lending is not a bank/deposit savings product and investors’ capital is at risk. Peer-to-Peer lending is not covered by the FSCS.
