UK merchant bank Close Brothers has appointed Ian Aitchison managing director of its business finance operations.
Aitchison will become managing director of its broker division.

"Ian has many years’ experience in the sector," said Neil Davies, chief executive officer of Close Brothers Asset Finance, "he knows the team very well and can count on [their] support."

This follows the move of the outgoing managing director Richard Briscoe to head Close Finance Channel Islands, a division of Close Brothers Motor Finance.

"I would like to thank Richard," said Davies, "and I wish him all the best as he takes on this new challenge."