Chris Ash

Trade and Transactional Finance expert experienced in structuring and delivering solutions for SMEs and corporates worldwide.

Greater London, England, United Kingdom

About

A professionally qualified banker with over 35 years of extensive experience in corporate finance. Track record of establishing and running alternative lending platforms specialising in trade and transactional finance, special situations and cross-border structured finance. Established own trade finance fund in 2009, which was sold to Macquarie Bank in 2012. Financed transactions worldwide with particular focus in the Trade, Energy, Mining, Agri Commodities and Infrastructure sectors.

Experience

  • Partner, Head of Trade Finance at Shard Credit Partners Limited
    Feb 2023 - Present · 3 yrs 5 mos

  • Managing Director at Eden Grail Ltd
    Feb 2020 - Present · 6 yrs 5 mos

    Provide advisory services to worldwide businesses seeking to access trade and transactional finance in multiple jurisdictions expanding into challenging overseas markets.

  • Managing Director (Europe) at ExWorks Capital
    Jul 2017 - Feb 2020 · 2 yrs 8 mos

    Offered Asset-Based Lending (ABL) and transactional finance services to clients worldwide, with facility sizes reaching up to $20 million. ExWorks Capital LLC operates as a senior secured debt fund, offering financial support to businesses seeking capital for expansion.

  • President UK and Europe at Trade Finance Solutions Inc.
    Apr 2016 - Jul 2017 · 1 yr 4 mos

    Trade Finance Solutions Inc - now part of e-Capital. Provided ABL and Trade Finance Facilities to European centric international trading businesses. Facility Sizes up to $6 million. Provided a complete suite of working capital products based around the importing and exporting of goods and services.

  • Co-Chief Executive at Trade Finance Partners Ltd
    2009 - Apr 2016 · 7 yrs 4 mos

    Founded this specialised lender operating in the SME space. Facility sizes £250k to £6m for International Trade. Clients in multiple jurisdictions across Europe, Africa and Asia. After completing a partial sale to Macquarie Bank in 2012, continued to develop joint opportunities in conjunction with Macquarie Private Debt divisions including the financing and build out of 16000 solar PV installations in the UK and a 100MW field array in Cape Town, South Africa. The business conducted 1000’s of successful individual cross-border trading transactions including the financing of a bulk cargoes of commodities chartering the vessels as principal. Specialised in shortening supply chains and vertical integration to maximise profitability for clients whilst reducing transactional risk and controlling logistical elements. A specialist provider of trade finance – TFP supported international trading transactions by physically buying and selling imported or exported goods on behalf of the importer/exporter.