Specialist Motor Finance (SMF) has announced the appointment of Jim Cowell to the senior role of business development manager.

Cowell (pictured) joins Chester-based SMF following seven years at Moneybarn where he worked in a deal management capacity, liaising with both finance brokers and car dealership groups.

At SMF he will take responsibility for helping growth within the non-standard car loans sector via brokers and dealers.

Cowell has followed a near 20-year career in the financial services industry, SMF said in a statement.

Prior to Moneybarn, he worked for six years as an account manager at Welcome Finance.

SMF recently announced an additional funding injection of £110 million to satisfy rising demand for its HP advances made to credit-challenged car buyers.

Additional senior appointments are likely to be made over the coming months.