Barclays Corporate has boosted its Midland-based debt finance team with the appointment of Stephanie Ferries and the recent promotion of Andy McDonald.

Ms Ferries, who joins the nine-strong team, has taken up the position of manager and will have responsibility for supporting debt origination for Barclays Corporate across the region.

She originally joined Barclays on an internship five years ago and she joins Barclays Corporate from the retail banking strategy team.

Andy McDonald has also been appointed to associate director which reflects his strong contribution to the team over the past three years, where he has been involved in a number of successful financings.

The latest appointments come on the back of what has been a very active year for the team covering the East and West Midlands and surrounding areas, having been involved in almost 30 transactions.

Some of their most recent deals include the re-financings of Halfords and ALE plus the recent acquisition of Superfos Industries for £204 million by RPC.

Barclays Corporate head of Midlands debt finance team Ian Tetsill said: “2010 has been a very active year for us.

“Stephanie’s recruitment will be closely followed by another important hire we expect to make in January.”

“We anticipate new loan demand will further increase in 2011 as a number of corporates reach maturity on three, five and seven year deals and who will be keen to discuss their re-financings requirements early.

“We are also starting to see more merger and acquisition activity and expect this to increase further as we head into the New Year.”