Credit Risk S in Manchester

Northreach is a dynamic recruitment agency that connects businesses with top talent in financial services, fintech, and digital sectors. We specialize in providing a seamless recruitment experience for clients and candidates, fostering innovation and professional growth.

Northreach is partnering with a highly respected and rapidly growing UK lender to recruit a Head of Credit within its Asset Finance division. This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced credit leader to take ownership of a high-performing underwriting function, leading a team responsible for supporting SME businesses across the UK with funding solutions that enable growth and investment.

The Opportunity

As Head of Credit, you will lead, mentor and develop a team of Underwriters, driving consistency, quality and efficiency across the credit function. You will act as a senior decision-maker for complex lending proposals, work closely with Sales and Operations stakeholders, and contribute towards the ongoing development of credit policy, governance frameworks and risk appetite. This role offers significant visibility across the business and the opportunity to influence the future direction of a growing lending operation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop a team of Credit Underwriters.
• Oversee underwriting quality, consistency and adherence to credit policy.
• Act as a senior sanctioner for larger and more complex transactions.
• Support the development and implementation of credit strategy and risk appetite.
• Monitor portfolio performance and identify emerging credit trends.
• Drive continuous improvement across underwriting processes, controls and decision-making frameworks.
• Work closely with Sales teams to structure commercially viable lending solutions.
• Ensure lending decisions balance growth objectives with prudent risk management.
• Produce and present portfolio and credit performance MI to senior stakeholders.
• Support governance, audit and regulatory requirements across the credit function.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration and customer focus.

About You

• Significant experience within Asset Finance.
• Previous experience leading, mentoring or managing underwriting teams.
• Strong credit risk and financial analysis capabilities.
• Experience operating with delegated lending authority.
• A proven track record of making sound commercial lending decisions.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Strong understanding of credit policy, governance and risk management principles.
• A collaborative leadership style with the ability to develop high-performing teams.

Why Join?

• Opportunity to lead an established and growing credit function.
• Significant influence over lending strategy and decision-making.
• Work for a highly regarded lender with ambitious growth plans.
• Strong leadership team and collaborative culture.
• Competitive salary, bonus and benefits package.
• Genuine opportunity to shape the future of the business.

Apply

If you’re an experienced Credit Manager, Head of Underwriting, Senior Credit Risk Manager, Head of Credit, or Senior Asset Finance Underwriter looking for your next leadership opportunity, we’d love to hear from you.