United Trust Bank appoints materials handling finance specialists

United Trust Bank (UTB) has appointed Jon Gee and Joe Silva to lead its expansion into the materials handling equipment (MHE) sector as it develops its new vendor finance business.

Jon Gee joins as Head of Materials Handling, bringing 18 years’ experience at Close Brothers, where he progressed to Sales Director. Joe Silva has been appointed Regional Dealer Manager, following 10 years in asset finance and materials handling with BNP Paribas and Close Brothers, most recently as Regional Finance Manager – MHE Sector.

The appointments form part of UTB’s strategy to establish a dedicated vendor finance operation, providing equipment dealers and manufacturers with funding solutions for their UK customers.

Gee and Silva will develop a specialist materials handling finance proposition, supporting equipment dealers with customer finance and funding for their own short and long-term hire fleets.

The offering will include contract hire, with or without maintenance, and hire purchase facilities, providing dealers with a range of options to support equipment sales and fleet investment.

UTB is also developing a digital dealer portal that will enable dealers to submit finance proposals, track applications and monitor transactions in real time. The platform is expected to launch in late 2026 or early 2027, subject to development and testing.

Nathan Mollett, Managing Director – Asset Finance at United Trust Bank, said:

“We’re moving quickly to establish the specialist teams and capabilities which will underpin our new vendor finance business. Materials handling is an important sector with considerable potential, and Jon and Joe bring exactly the market knowledge, experience and relationships we need to establish UTB as a credible and competitive funding partner for dealers.

“We know dealers want more than just competitive pricing. They need a finance partner who understands their business, responds quickly, makes sensible decisions and delivers consistently.”

Jon Gee, Head of Materials Handling – Asset Finance at UTB, commented: “Having worked in asset finance for many years, I know how important it is for materials handling dealers to have a funding partner they can rely on. There’s a real opportunity to bring something fresh to this market and we’re looking forward to getting out and talking to dealers about how UTB can support their businesses.”

Joe Silva, Regional Dealer Manager – Asset Finance at UTB, added: “I know how much difference a responsive and knowledgeable finance partner can make to dealers and our aim is to make the funding process simpler, help dealers complete more business and build relationships which last.”