The Black Country Reinvestment Society (BCRS) is strengthening its team to meet demand for small business loans after reporting a 70 per cent increase in lending to local businesses.

It has appointed a new business development manager along with a marketing and PR manager and plans to lend £3 million in the next 12 months to local businesses turned down by the banks.

Nick Cooper joins BCRS as a business development manager following a long career in commercial banking.

He said: “BCRS have a more ethical approach to lending by putting their clients at the forefront.

“For me, joining BCRS was an easy decision as I believe I fit in well with the company’s philosophy.”

Sarah Allen also joins BCRS following a diverse career in PR and marketing to promote BCRS’s capabilities in providing financial help to businesses in the Black Country and Staffordshire.