Connecting UK Business Owners With The Right Funders

Chris Dolan brings over 27 years of expertise in financial services to Guavas, where he has been a key figure since its launch in 2023. With a 20-year City career advising corporates and pension funds at top international banks, followed by seven years specialising in SME funding, Chris combines deep industry insight with practical expertise. With a 1st Class Honours graduate in Banking and International Finance from City University Business School, he delivers tailored, cost-effective solutions to empower businesses and drive growth.

Ben van Rooyen, an accomplished entrepreneur and finance expert, founded Guavas in 2023 to revolutionise commercial financing for SMEs. With over 16 years of experience in senior roles across the financial services sector, Ben combines deep industry expertise with first-hand entrepreneurial insights. His mission is to simplify complex financial landscapes, enabling businesses to make informed decisions and access the capital they need to thrive.

Martin Tait leads Guavas' Relationship Management team, bringing over two decades of financial services expertise in strategic client relationships and helping businesses grow and prosper. He focuses on client-centric solutions, trust-building, and seamless lender collaboration. Previously at Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Banking Group, Martin managed SME portfolios, secured partnerships, and led teams, with a strong focus on business analysis, corporate account management, and commercial finance. His strategic insight and personable leadership embodies Guavas’ commitment to innovation and client success.

Jana Swart is a strategic operations leader with expertise in business process optimisation, financial analysis and data-driven decision-making. Armed with a BComHons in Business Management (Financial Analysis), Jana has successfully streamlined operations across diverse industries. At Guavas, she drives operational excellence, ensuring efficient service delivery and supporting the company’s mission to simplify finance for SMEs through innovation and advanced technology.

Chad is a seasoned marketing strategist with experience across growth marketing, direct response, brand strategy, and performance optimisation. Chad drives the Guavas marketing by developing integrated campaigns, leveraging Ai to scale lead generation, and turning customer insights into measurable results. His focus is on creating scalable strategies that help SMEs save time, grow smarter, and compete.

Ruan is a results-driven strategist with a strong focus on operations, analytics, and business problem-solving. At Guavas, he plays a pivotal role in driving operational efficiency and integrating emerging technology solutions into everyday processes. His academic background in Financial Economics and International Business, combined with experience in the asset management industry, positions him to develop smarter financial solutions that empower SMEs to thrive.