Investment Executive

Job Title: Investment Executive – Commercial Lending
Location: Cardiff, Wales (Hybrid – Cardiff office attendance required once per week)
Salary: Competitive + Benefits

We are seeking a motivated and commercially minded Investment Executive to join a growing Commercial Lending team. This role offers an excellent opportunity to support the origination, assessment, execution, and management of debt investments across a diverse portfolio of UK businesses.

The successful candidate will play a key role in evaluating lending opportunities, conducting financial analysis and due diligence, preparing investment recommendations, and supporting portfolio management activities. The position is primarily home-based, with attendance at the Cardiff office required once per week and occasional travel to meet clients and stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the sourcing and evaluation of new commercial lending opportunities.
• Develop and maintain relationships with business owners, intermediaries, professional advisers, banks, and other stakeholders.
• Attend meetings with prospective borrowers to understand their funding requirements and business objectives.
• Represent the organisation at networking events and industry functions to promote lending products and services.
• Analyse financial statements, management accounts, cash flow forecasts, and business plans.
• Assess the commercial viability, creditworthiness, and risk profile of prospective borrowers.
• Conduct detailed financial modelling and sensitivity analysis.
• Support the completion of legal, financial, and commercial due diligence activities.
• Identify key risks and mitigating factors associated with lending proposals.
• Prepare high-quality investment papers and credit recommendations for internal approval committees.
• Present findings and recommendations to senior stakeholders where required.
• Support the structuring and negotiation of lending facilities, including loan terms, covenants, and security arrangements.
• Coordinate with legal advisers and other external parties to facilitate successful deal completion.
• Monitor the performance of existing lending investments.
• Review borrower financial information and covenant compliance.
• Identify emerging risks and recommend appropriate actions.
• Maintain accurate portfolio records and management information.
• Support portfolio reviews and reporting requirements.
• Work closely with internal teams including credit, risk, legal, and operations.
• Build strong relationships with external partners and professional advisers.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and process enhancements.

Skills and Experience

Essential

• Experience within commercial lending, corporate banking, business banking, private debt, asset finance, development finance, or a related investment environment.
• Strong financial analysis and financial modelling skills.
• Ability to interpret financial statements and assess business performance.
• Experience preparing credit papers, investment memoranda, or lending recommendations.
• Strong understanding of credit risk assessment and lending principles.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong relationship management and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently.

Desirable

• Experience within SME lending, mid-market lending, or alternative finance.
• Knowledge of secured lending structures and security documentation.
• Professional qualifications such as ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CFA, or equivalent.
• Experience working with government-backed lending schemes or development finance organisations.

Personal Attributes

• Commercially aware with strong business acumen.
• Analytical and detail-oriented.
• Proactive and solutions-focused.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Collaborative team player with a flexible approach.
• High levels of integrity and professionalism.

Benefits

• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements.
• Competitive salary and performance-related bonus.
• Generous pension contribution.
• Private healthcare.

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