Financial Sponsors

Andrew Clayton is National Head of Financial Sponsors at Santander, where he's responsible for leading a team across the UK working with management teams and private equity investors, providing leveraged debt financing solutions in the mid-market space. He has over 20 years of experience in working with and supporting mid-market businesses. Before joining Santander he was Regional Head of Structured Finance for the South and Midlands at RBS where he led many transactions covering a wider range of sectors. Andrew's also worked in Mezzanine Finance with NatWest and Corporate Finance as part of an independent London based boutique.

Colin joined the Financial Sponsors team in early 2017. Prior to this, he spent c35 years at RBS, with the most recent 13 years spent in that organisation’s mid-market leveraged finance business. His Credit Structuring role involves a number of strategic initiatives aimed at further enhancing Santander’s capability in the Lev Fin market, as well as bringing his experience to bear to help shape new transactions.

Eva is an Associate Director within the Financial Sponsors team having joined Santander in 2011. Prior to joining the team, she spent three years in the Large Corporate Group working on investment and sub-investment grade debt transactions for UK clients. She holds a joint degree in European Studies and Economics from King’s College London and the London School of Economics.

Suraj is an Associate Director within the Financial Sponsors team having joined Santander in September 2016. Before joining the team, Suraj spent five years at RBS working primarily in the Leveraged Finance team in Reading, supporting mid-market sponsor transactions. He is a CFA Charter holder and holds a degree in Economics from The University of Birmingham.

Ruth is an Associate Director within the Financial Sponsors team having joined Santander in October 2015. Prior to this, she spent four years working at Deloitte in the Restructuring team and most recently the Debt Advisory team in London. She holds a degree in Business Management from The University of Birmingham and is a qualified Chartered Accountant.

Tom is an Associate Director within the Financial Sponsors team having joined Santander in 2015. He joined the team from the Graduate Scheme, having previously completed rotations in Corporate Banking and Corporate Risk. Tom holds a first class honours degree in International Business from the University of Liverpool.

Chris is a Director within the Financial Sponsors team having joined Santander in 2010. Prior to this, he spent 16 years at RBS, the last nine of which were with RBS Structured Finance. He holds a degree in Management Science from University of Wales, Swansea and is an Associate Member of Corporate Treasurers.

Saul is a Director within the Financial Sponsors team having joined Santander in early 2017. Prior to this, he spent nine years at RBS, predominantly in the Mid-market Leverage Finance team, delivering a number of Sponsor backed transactions. He holds a degree in Economics, Banking and Finance from Cardiff University.

Rhys joined Santander in 2017 having spent two years at RBS Leveraged Finance with an additional four years Corporate Finance experience across M&A and Debt Advisory Roles at KPMG and a leading mid-market boutique. He holds a degree in Accounting and Financial Management from Loughborough University Business School and qualified as a Chartered Accountant whilst at KPMG.

Roddy joined Santander in 2013 with more than 15 years' corporate finance experience, including BDO and EY. He spent eight years at Clydesdale Bank, playing a major role in the creation and growth of a successful acquisition finance team in North West England. Roddy is focused on mid-market financial sponsor and corporate M&A transactions, as well as the provision of growth capital funding for fast growing SMEs in Scotland. He is a chartered accountant with a degree in Scots Law and a Diploma in Russian from Glasgow University.