Funding Circle Holdings plc (LSE: FCH), the UK's leading SME finance platform, has announced the appointment of Rob Straathof as Chief Executive Officer, subject to regulatory approval. Straathof will join the business in H1 2027, succeeding Lisa Jacobs, whose intention to step down was first disclosed on 8 September 2026. The appointment follows a formal search process led by the Nomination Committee and supported by an independent executive search firm, and brings a fintech leader with significant SME lending experience to one of the UK's most prominent small business finance platforms.

Key Points

  • Funding Circle Holdings plc (FCH) is the UK's leading SME finance platform, listed on the London Stock Exchange
  • Rob Straathof appointed as CEO, subject to regulatory approval, joining in H1 2027
  • Straathof previously served as CEO of Liberis for a decade, overseeing more than $4bn in funding to over 100,000 small businesses globally
  • Investors should watch for confirmation of Straathof's exact start date and regulatory approval progress

Rob Straathof's Background at Liberis and Grover Shapes His SME Finance Credentials

Straathof brings extensive experience in SME lending and embedded finance to Funding Circle. During his decade as CEO of Liberis, he transformed it from a UK small business lender with a single partner into a global embedded finance platform delivering multiple products and providing over $4bn in funding to more than 100,000 small businesses. He is currently serving as CEO of Grover, a leading European technology subscription platform headquartered in Germany. The announcement states that his combination of credit expertise and fintech leadership was central to the Nomination Committee's decision following a competitive search process.

Lisa Jacobs to Oversee Orderly Handover Before Stepping Down by September 2027

Lisa Jacobs, who has led Funding Circle through a period of platform development, will continue as CEO until Straathof officially joins, ensuring a structured transition. The announcement confirms she will step down no later than September 2027. Jacobs noted in the disclosure that over the past 16 years Funding Circle has established itself as the leading finance partner for UK SMEs, and expressed confidence in Straathof's alignment with the company's mission of supporting small businesses with access to fast and fair finance. The handover period is designed to maintain business continuity ahead of the formal leadership change.

Funding Circle's £18bn Lending Platform Provides the Foundation for Incoming Leadership

Since its founding in 2010, Funding Circle has extended more than £18bn in credit to over 135,000 UK businesses, using proprietary AI-powered credit models to serve the SME segment. The platform offers borrowing, pay-later, and spending products through a single ecosystem, while also providing institutional investors access to SME credit as an asset class. Chair Ken Stannard highlighted Straathof's track record of scaling a multi-product fintech platform as particularly relevant to building on Funding Circle's existing foundations. Regulatory approval remains a condition of the appointment, representing a near-term consideration for investors monitoring this leadership transition.