Smartfundit.com poaches Cisco man to drive growth

Former Cisco Capital boss Guy Smith outlines growth plans for UK-based IT finance marketplace

UK-based IT finance marketplace Smartfundit.com has recruited Cisco Capital veteran Guy Smith to spearhead its expansion.

The online service, which enables IT suppliers to connect end users with technology-focused finance houses, has hooked in 700 UK registered resellers since it was founded two years ago.

Smith, who joins as chief sales officer of global sales, told CRN that Smartfundit.com would expand from its UK and Ireland stronghold into continental Europe and the US over the next 12 months.

Previously European general manager of Cisco Capital, Smith said he also plans to beef up Smartfundit.com’s UK sales resources to cope with increasing demand from local resellers.

“In the UK we will expand our sales force to cope with the unprecedented demand for technology finance,” he said.

“Finance solutions have been prevalent in the IT space for years but not to the same extent as in the automotive and reprographics industries. But now the reseller community recognises that it is a key element of a commercial solution.”

Smartfundit.com currently works with 35 funding partners but Smith said the firm was in dialogue with several more to extend reseller choice.