Community lender ART Business Loans has announced the appointment of Joy Douglas to the newly created role of marketing manager.
Joy brings more than 20 years of marketing experience to the role having previously run her own consultancy, Joy Friday, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises with marketing and business development expertise.
Before establishing her own business, Joy spent 17 years at law firm Gowling WLG, formerly Wragge & Co, and worked at chartered accountants MHA MacIntyre Hudson. Across these roles, she gained wide-ranging experience in marketing, business development, communications and company rebranding.
In her new role, Joy will be responsible for further raising awareness of ART Business Loans across the region, supporting the business and its customers to grow.
Commenting on her appointment Joy said: “I am delighted to be joining ART Business Loans. Having spent much of my career working with small and medium-sized businesses, I know how difficult it can be to access the funding they need to take the next step.
“I believe that ART Business Loans is one of the best kept secrets in the region, and my job is to change that.
“I want to raise its profile and strengthen its relationships across the wider business community. I’m looking forward to being part of its next stage of growth.”
ART Business Loans chief executive Steve Walker said: “Joy joins us with 23 years of experience in professional services where she worked closely with large corporations on marketing, branding and business development.
“Until now, ART Business Loans has not had a dedicated marketing function, so this is a significant step for the business.”
ART Business Loans is a community development finance institution which seeks to ensure viable businesses in the West Midlands and adjoining counties can access the finance they need.
With loans available for any business purpose from between £10,000 and £250,000, ART Business Loans takes a personal approach to assessing applications.
In the last 10 years ART has lent over £25 million to 600 businesses that have created or preserved 4,290 jobs.
For more information on ART Business Loans visit: www.artbusinessloans.co.uk