New board member at ART

Darren Hodson, corporate finance partner at Smith Cooper, has been elected to the board of ART Business Loans.

Based at Innovation Birmingham Campus, ART lends between £10,000 and £150,000 to businesses across the West Midlands unable to access any or all of the finance they need from the banks. It is governed by a board of nine volunteer directors plus the chief executive, Dr Steve Walker.

“We are delighted that Darren has joined the board. His background in accountancy and expertise in business finance and strategy fit perfectly with ART’s current needs,” said Steve.

“His experience of raising finance will be particularly valuable as we seek new sources of funding in 2019 and beyond, enabling us to increase the number of businesses we are able to support with responsible loan finance.”

Darren said: “I am passionate about supporting businesses across the Midlands and ART plays an important role in providing access to funding for small business locally.

“I am looking forward to playing my part in supporting ART’s growth and development in the years ahead; helping to raise awareness of the important kind of finance it offers to businesses and the particular benefits it provides to investors.”