Ex-NatWest exec Julie Ashmore joins lendtech Muse Finance as COO
Muse Finance, a UK-based working capital business finance provider, has appointed Julie Ashmore as chief operating officer (COO).
Julie Ashmore, new COO at Muse Finance
Ashmore moves from UK banking heavyweight NatWest, where she was CEO of NatWest Rapid Cash for three years, joining shortly after the Rapid Cash launch. Rapid Cash was created as an alternative to overdrafts by providing businesses with a flexible line of credit to cover unpaid invoices for up to £1 million.
During her time there, she led the team of 50 people and grew the client base more than 700x.
Prior to NatWest Rapid Cash, Ashmore was commercial director at competitor GrowthStreet. She also held senior leadership roles at HSBC and Bibby Financial Services, and has over 30 years of experience within the SME banking and finance market.
Ashmore is also an adventurer and explorer, having climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and skied to both the North and South Poles. She will be sharing her incredible experiences at the upcoming FinTech Futures 40th Anniversary Summer Party in London on 6 July (click here to register to attend – it’s free!).
At Muse, she will spearhead the lendtech’s sales, operations, user experience, and risk functions, with a view to reach 30,000 customers and provide £1.5 billion of SME financing in the next three years.
What’s Muse Finance?
Launched in 2020 by ex-Credit Suisse director Ann Marie Juliano, Muse provides non-dilutive working capital solutions for business owners in the UK through buy now, pay later (BNPL) for businesses and invoice finance.
Last year, it raised a $20 million debt facility (bringing the total amount raised to $96 million) and announced plans to hold a Series A funding round in 2023 and expand into the US.
It also appointed a chief technology officer (CTO), Tarek AbdelKader, in spring 2022.
