Posted: Monday, 2 February 2026 @ 10:27
One of the things that sets Rivers apart as a lender is our personalised approach, which is best illustrated by two aspects of our service:
- Short communication lines and a single point of contact
- We always look at funding applications based on the strength of the business case
We get a lot of feedback from clients expressing how much they value the direct communication that our team offers, enabling them to speak to someone they know and trust throughout the duration of their relationship with Rivers. We have always felt that it's extremely important from first contact onwards for clients to have the reassurance of being able to speak to someone they've built a relationship with, rather than finding they are passed from pillar to post every time they get in touch. That continuity is essential for quality of service and peace of mind.
"Superb service throughout from the whole team. Always able to make contact and receive support. Seamless application process and can discuss applications directly with the decision makers. Thank you, team Rivers, for all your hard work and for all the help you have provided this year." - Albana on Trustpilot
Rivers team of business finance specialists
Front and centre of most client relationships are Business Operations Director, Rishi Shah, who leads our asset finance department, as well as Business Development Manager, Ian Mills, who heads up our business loans division. However, we often get asked - don't they ever take a day off?
The short answer to that is 'not really'. However, behind the scenes, a team of trusty Rivers talent works hard for our clients, who are up to speed on their accounts and ready to take any calls, emails, questions and queries, should Rishi or Ian ever take a day off. Therefore, we wanted to take a moment to shine the spotlight on some of the essential people, who are an integral part of Rivers and everything we do.
Rishi Shah, Business Operations Director
Starting with perhaps the best-known member of our team, Rishi has been with Rivers for more than 13 years, having started as an Operational Specialist in 2012, and matriculating to his current role in 2019. He specialises in asset finance and is the ultimate safe pair of hands for all our clients, from the moment they apply for funding and throughout their time with Rivers. He has built strong, trusting relationships with brokers and business owners alike, personifying Rivers' values.
Ian Mills, Business Development Manager – Corporate Loans
Ian joined our team in 2024 and immediately became a valued member of the company, trusted by both clients and team members alike. With more than 30 years in business finance, including an illustrious career at NatWest he has enjoyed a particular focus on alternative finance since 2017 and is passionate about proactively helping businesses to achieve their growth goals by delivering the right finance product and exceptional, personalised customer service.
Ravi Kanthan, Chief Accountant
Ravi has been with us since the early days of Rivers, taking a meticulous approach to his role, which is much wider than his 30+ years of accounting experience. He oversees the financial controls at Rivers as well as driving operational efficiencies through his extensive knowledge of our systems. At the heart of his activities is his contribution in delivering great service to our customers and introducers.
Yahya Tajdin, Credit Risk Underwriter
Working quietly and diligently alongside Rishi, Yahya is an essential member of the team with a wealth of experience across the finance sector. Ensuring we do our due diligence and only lend responsibly, he has a thorough understanding of clients and their businesses and is instrumental in making sure we deliver the best funding solution for their needs.
Angie Venes, Business Operations Manager
Keeping us all in working order, Angie has been with the team since 2022 and makes sure everything stays in top working order. Analysing processes and optimising the way we work to make sure we're as efficient as possible, and that everything we do is geared towards maximising the service we deliver to all our stakeholders, she's at the very heart of the company.
Meshelle Ramlall, Management & Systems Accountant
Any business is reliant on having reliable systems in place, and at Rivers we are a well-oiled machine because Meshelle wouldn't have it any other way. You might not speak to Meshelle directly as a customer, but her hard work enables client-facing team members to have the time, space, and processes to ensure seamless, personalised service and strong communications.
Find out more about the Rivers team