Business funding provider Accelerated Payments today announced the appointment of Michael Harrison as Sales Director for the United Kingdom. He will focus on supporting existing clients in the UK and attracting new ones, particularly those looking to expand globally. 

Michael has enjoyed a 20-year career at major global banks, including HSBC and Bank of Ireland, where he ran sales teams and executed banking transactions in the Invoice Finance, SME, Corporate and Healthcare markets. He then spent 6 years in leadership roles at a fast-paced Technology SME, SureCloud, a SaaS company specialising in Governance, Risk and Compliance software. 

In joining Accelerated Payments, Michael will draw on this wealth of experience and help drive new business growth in the key London and South East territories as they continue their impressive growth story.

The appointment comes at the end of an exceptional year at AP, which advanced an additional €500 million to businesses globally, bringing the total to €1.5 billion on its sixth anniversary. The impressive amount showcases the strong surge in demand for the company’s innovative invoice financing solutions, which offers a fast and convenient way for scaling firms to access working capital otherwise tied up in outstanding invoices. 

It also reflects its success in boosting its strategic partnerships with brokers, financial and advisory firms and extending its global reach, with offices in Europe, the UK, Canada and the USA.

Welcoming the appointment, Ian Duffy, CEO of Accelerated Payments, said: 

“We are delighted to welcome Michael to the team. His expertise will be invaluable as we embark on a new chapter of collaboration with more Debt Advisory, Private Equity, and Venture Capital firms. His deep understanding of the financial sector and ability to forge strong relationships will be pivotal in navigating this exciting expansion. Michael’s strategic approach and innovative thinking align perfectly with our mission to provide comprehensive financial solutions and will enhance our capacity to meet the evolving needs of our clients and partners in these dynamic sectors.”

Commenting on his new role, Michael said: 

“I am thrilled to be joining a company at the forefront of providing flexible working capital solutions to businesses. The standout feature of Accelerated Payments is its scalable fintech platform, which significantly speeds up the funding process, enabling clients to receive funding within days, not weeks. This rapid funding capability is a game-changer for entrepreneurs looking to grow their businesses in the UK and beyond. I am excited to contribute to a team dedicated to offering innovative financial solutions to businesses facing the challenges of today's economic landscape.’’