Asset Insights Podcast: Jason Hurwitz on the future of SME finance

Where will growth come from in specialist finance, and what role will brokers play in helping SMEs access the funding they need?

In the latest episode of the Finance Connect Asset Insights Podcast, Finance Connect CEO Edward Peck speaks with Jason Hurwitz, Group Chief Executive Officer of Star Asset Finance Group, about the future of SME finance, the evolving role of brokers and the opportunities for growth in a challenging market.

Having joined Star Asset Finance as Group CEO in July 2026, Hurwitz brings a unique perspective to the industry, having experienced asset finance from multiple perspectives – as an SME business owner, lender and technology provider. These experiences have shaped his understanding of what businesses really need from their finance partners and how the industry can better support their ambitions.

In the podcast, Hurwitz discusses his vision for Star Asset Finance Group, which brings together four established regional businesses – Kennett, Ignition, Credo and First Capital – combining their specialist expertise and customer relationships with the capabilities of a national finance group.

The conversation explores a number of key issues facing the specialist finance industry, including:

• Where future growth will come from in a market facing limited expansion.
• The evolving role of brokers and hybrid broker-lender models in supporting SMEs.
• Why understanding customer needs should come before selecting financial products.
• The growing popularity of business loans and what this means for traditional asset finance.
• How technology and AI can improve efficiency while maintaining strong customer relationships.
• The importance of trust, specialist expertise and long-term relationships in building sustainable growth.

A central theme of the discussion is whether the industry’s focus on speed and transactional lending risks overlooking opportunities to deliver greater value to SME customers.

Hurwitz argues that technology and personal relationships should work together rather than compete, stating: “It’s not human or digital. It’s human and digital.”

The episode also examines how Star Asset Finance plans to build on the strengths of its regional businesses, using technology, collaboration and its hybrid lending model to support its next phase of growth.

For lenders, brokers and other specialist finance professionals, the discussion offers an insight into the challenges and opportunities facing the industry, and what it may take to unlock the next wave of SME finance growth.

Watch or listen to the full conversation with Jason Hurwitz on the Finance Connect Asset Insights Podcast channel, or find the episode on Spotify, YouTube and Amazon.