BFS Marine Finance announces new team

Bibby Financial Services (BFS) has bolstered its Marine Finance business with the appointment of an experienced front and back-office team as it looks to grow its support for the maritime sector. 

Launched in 2023, BFS Marine Finance provides specialist financing and support to the sector across a wide range of vessel types, including wind farm service vessels, general purpose workboats, passenger vessels and ferries, survey vessels, tugs and barges, coastal ships, charter boats and hire boat fleets.

Since this time, Managing Director of BFS Marine Finance, Paul Ratcliffe – who began his career at Bibby Line Group and returned to the group after 35 years – has been joined by Marine Finance specialists Jason Crump and Ryan Baverstock, in addition to Chantelle Bradwell, Head of Sales Support, and Sales Support Specialists Debbie Weir, Colleen Dalais and April McGhee.

Speaking of the appointments, Paul Ratcliffe, Managing Director, said: “I’m delighted we have been able to attract leading marine financing talent to join the business. Combined, we have over 80 years’ experience within the marine finance sector, so we have the depth of experience and knowledge required to support new and existing customers to grow and thrive.”

Supporting the new team are Richard Hargraves, Head of Portfolio Risk; Howard Quinlivan, Senior In-house Legal Counsel; and John Folan, Senior Credit Risk Underwriter.

Derek Ryan, Managing Director for BFS UK added: “BFS Marine Finance is an excellent example of how we are combining BFS’s financing specialism with the Bibby Line Group’s heritage to grow our support for businesses across all sectors of the economy. Paul and the team are in a fantastic position to be able to support those businesses looking to refinance existing assets or expand their fleets.”

Paul Ratcliffe added: “While global shipping costs have stabilised to some extent, they remain high, and we’re committed to helping maritime businesses to operate more efficiently and ultimately to grow. Furthermore, with the recent publication of the Environmental Audit Committee’s report on Net zero and UK shipping – in line with Project Compass, our own group-wide promise to sustainability – we’re playing our part in the sector’s move towards the decarbonisation of assets.”