ABOUT US
History
We are an independent funder specialising in asset and property finance both direct to clients and via a network of introducers. It was incorporated in 2001 by our founders Derek and Paul Needham, who collectively brought with them years of industry knowledge and experience. As we have expanded our team of qualified professionals, we have successfully helped thousands of businesses obtain finance throughout the UK.
Flexibility
We review each application based on their own individual merit, rather than simply relying on a credit score alone.
Integrity
A dedicated account manager will guide you throughout your application process. We believe in offering you a personal service.
Prosperity
We consider new-starts and businesses with poor trading history.
Our finance packages are as diverse as our client base.
Efficiency
We aim to come back to you within 3 hours of receiving an application. We understand that time is crucial to your business.
Meet the team
We believe you should know the people you are dealing with, as having the right team in place is a fundamental part of our service to you. Meet the key players at Eastern Credit and learn more about their role within the company.
Derek Needham
Our Non-Executive Chairman is Derek Needham, who has over 50 years’ experience operating in the world of credit, leasing and property finance. Derek founded Norfolk & Suffolk Finance, which was incorporated in 1976, and successfully oversaw the growth of the business until its sale in 1989.
Derek then repurchased the business in 1991 and, after further growth, again sold it for a substantial sum.
He now provides guidance to the team at Eastern Credit where we benefit from his many years of knowledge and contacts within the industry.
His spare time is spent travelling the world.
Paul Needham
Our founder and Managing Director, Paul Needham, is a highly qualified and experienced professional having worked for over 25 years in finance.
His experience and in-depth knowledge of the asset and property finance market allows him to underwrite deals in a positive manner for our clients, brokers, introducers and dealers.
In the past three years alone, Paul has agreed tens of millions of pounds of funding for clients of Eastern Credit enabling:
New-start businesses to start trading
Businesses to refinance plant and machinery to pay off various debts
Small and medium sized businesses to expand by purchasing unusual assets
Experienced and new-start property developers to raise 100% of land purchase and costs for their residential schemes
Property developers to complete part-built residential and commercial developments Clients to refinance existing property portfolios
Property investors to complete on auction purchases within contract time frame
His spare time is spent running around after his children and following Norwich City, a team he has supported since he was a young lad.
David King
Our Company Secretary, David King, is a chartered accountant who came to the finance industry in 1999. Prior to this, he had worked with a ‘Big Four’ firm in London, the Middle East and Kenya before returning to the UK where he managed the UK port and distribution operations of a Scandinavian multinational company. He has been with Eastern Credit since its beginnings in 2001.
He currently heads the underwriting team where his experience across many business sectors provides the basis for devising sound solutions to finance proposals. He is also our Money Laundering Officer and is responsible for our Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) compliance as well as looking after all aspects of the company’s financial management.
His spare time is spent with his cars, motorcycles and family (but not necessarily in that order!).
Leah Hilton
Our Business Development Manager is a qualified professional with over 14 years’ experience in the asset finance market.
Leah heads our Broker Department, managing the sales and marketing team. She specialises in securing asset finance for the more unusual deals, often involving new-start businesses and specialist equipment. Her rapport with her clients and introducers is an important part of ensuring we deliver an outstanding service.
Her spare time is spent dancing, and she has competed in various freestyle competitions and shows.