A FINANCE company in St Asaph is set to take on more staff as it explores new markets after relocating in recent months.

Set up by school friends Richard Lloyd Jones and Gareth Jones in 2013, FFP Solutions has “grown significantly” in the last 12 months, taking advantage of finance trends swinging in their favour.

Now based on St Asaph High Street, the business is set to take on two more employees and is supporting firms of all sizes across the UK.

Primarily launched to target the legal, property and accountancy sectors, FFP (Finance for Professionals) has widened its reach to include organisations from any industry.

PetPlace, Harold Smith Chartered Accountants, Salisburys Accountants and Ruby Granite are among the North Wales companies they have worked with, and more will follow as FFP prepares for a period of expansion over the summer.

With former mortgage advisor Richard Pape now on board, Richard Lloyd Jones says they have the perfect blend of skills and experience to grow even further.

“We were initially working with solicitors, accountants and property businesses but things really opened up around 12 months ago to include new markets,” said the 43 year-old, who lives in Tremeirchion with wife Lyndsey and their two children, Rupert and Scarlett.

“Traditionally people would go to the banks for the services and financial products we offer but more and more of them are moving away from that.

“Our new website and the fresh direction we’ve taken has been a breath of fresh air for our clients; we are not a faceless organisation and really do try and help the people we work with, which has helped us to grow steadily in the last year.”

Richard and Gareth met at Ruthin High School in the 1990s and have been friends ever since.

Gareth, 46, spent much of his career in sales and advertising while Richard, armed with a qualification in business and finance, owned a clothes store in Prestatyn before unveiling his own brokerage, Signature Mortgages.

The two eventually came together and launched FFP Solutions, before Richard Pape – who moved to Abergele from Oxford as a child before embarking on a life in banking and mortgage advice – joined them two years ago.

“I had seen what Richard was doing with Signature Mortgages and got involved, before we decided to set up FFP and combine our skills and experience,” said Gareth, whose dog Snoop is the company mascot.

“The business has grown significantly, and we are thrilled to be working with brilliant companies, as well as some of the region’s top accountants, who support us and refer a lot of clients to us.

“We are actually surprised but obviously delighted at how quickly we have established ourselves and are looking forward to taking on two new sales staff and another administrator in the coming weeks.”

Richard Pape, 45, who lives with wife Sarah and children Alex, Charlotte and Tom in Abergele (correct?) added: “I’ve worked for the big banks and believe a lot of FFP’s success has been in filling the gap they’ve created in not helping the smaller and medium-sized firms secure finance.

“If you don’t meet certain criteria or are not turning over huge numbers they’re not interested, but that’s where we can help. We are here to talk, find them the best deal and offer support and advice, whether its funding a Vat or tax bill, or arranging invoice finance - we are here to do that and more. Its almost as if we have taken on the role of the old school bank manager.”

Looking ahead, Richard Lloyd Jones says FFP is aiming for further growth over the next 12 months, in tandem with their customers.

“Ultimately, we are all growing together,” he said.

“The broad range of products and services we can assist with, from helping a first-time buyer get on the property ladder to a multi-million pound development finance deal, is helping them to reach the next level, and it boosts the local economy.”

Gareth added: “We have a massive panel of funders and will genuinely find the best deal for the client, which is the most important thing for us.

“We are in the right markets and where we want to be, but a lot of businesses – even here in North Wales – still don’t know these services are available to them because they won’t have had any luck with the banks.

“You can operate in this sector with transparency while being successful and helping others, and we are proof of that. Long may it continue.”

For more information visit the FFP Solutions website.