Three questions with... Gavin Smith, Head of Sales

1. What was your journey to Close Brothers Commercial Finance?

I began my career in asset finance back in 1998. I initially worked in various operational roles, which opened the door to sales support, and by 2001 I had stepped into a sales role. During the financial crisis of 2008 I worked as a broker and spent a small amount of time in corporate property. In 2011, I joined Close Brothers, and this year marks my 15th anniversary with the company.

My Close Brothers journey has seen me progress from sales to regional manager to head of sales. There’s a lot of variety in my role with each day bringing new challenges and opportunities to grow as a person and leader in a great business.

I get a lot of satisfaction from working with interesting and passionate people. On the island of Ireland there are so many amazing business owners who have incredible stories and many years’ experience in their field, which has a significant impact on the people they employ, the customers they serve, and the wider economy. I seek out nuggets of wisdom from these people every day.

2. What do you see being important to Irish SMEs in the next year?

Stability is key. Businesses are approaching decisions with caution, in light of macroeconomic events. That said, on a positive note, in recent months we’ve seen many business owners choosing to drive on with key investment decisions. Also, the Irish economy is doing reasonably well, with the momentum from 2025 carrying over into the first half of 2026.

However, the cost of doing business in Ireland can be high, and the government's recent announcement of a €112bn investment in infrastructure is welcome.

With the right legislation and conditions in place, my view is that SMEs are ready to invest in equipment and growth.

Sustainability is another major focus. New environmental, social, and governance (ESG) regulations came into play for corporate entities in 2025 and they’ll be phased in for other companies, including SMEs, from 2026 onwards. We’re seeing examples of companies who’ve been proactive on this front doing very well.

3. What is the most exciting financing challenge you've worked on recently?

One standout project involved supporting a client through a major acquisition using refinance to unlock a million euros in capital investment for the customer. This essential funding was needed within three weeks to complete the transaction.

The client had explored other routes, but asset finance offered the speed and agility they needed. It was a great example of how tailored financing can make a real difference.