ASSET FINANCE - Key Persons
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- Managing Director at Zoot
Adam Jackson, Managing Director at Zoot said: "Asset Finance Connect are a forward-thinking organisation that has been leading the industry for many years and we are proud to now officially join their community. This industry is very important to us, we have developed a unique asset finance origination service and we are committed to building new relationships and helping Asset Finance Connect's members unlock new possibilities and drive positive change with our technology."
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- Allica 's Business Development Manager
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- CEO of Mobilize Financial Services
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- Deputy Chairwoman
- AFPA Trust Deputy Chairwoman
- Global Head of Marketing - Field
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- Director of Automotive Mobility at Deloitte
Benedikt Middendorf, Director of Automotive Mobility at Deloitte briefed the event delegates on how they must identify and implement sustainable and commercial business models within an uncertain regulatory framework that are imperative for the emerging environment-focused landscape, focusing on the impact of the Battery Regulation.
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- Global CEO of PEAC Solutions
Bill Stephenson, Global CEO of PEAC Solutions joined AFC's head of equipment finance, John Rees to share his view that big banks are reconsidering their investment in asset finance divisions: "Asset finance businesses operating within a bank need to recognise that in many cases, they are the last mouths to feed behind core banking operations and other more strategic investments."
Stephenson also proposed that asset finance sales teams, who easily made their targets during the past halcyon days, will need to re-learn selling higher margin business or face the consequences. "If a business cannot successfully execute this pivot and achieve higher margins, they will be re-evaluated by their bank owners," commented Stephenson.
Stephenson noted that "the cancer that exists in our industry is complacency" with the same players existing in the market for the past 20 years with poor legacy systems, corrupt data and rising operating costs for tech and compliance. The Global CEO of PEAC Solutions, an independent private-equity funded business, saw the opportunities that such a business could have in the current market conditions, particularly given the strict Basel capital adequacy rules being placed on bank-held firms.
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- Arkle 's Managing Director
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- CEO
- Publisher
- CEO of Asset Finance Connect
- Connect 's CEO
Edward Peck, CEO of Asset Finance Connect commented, "The upcoming AFC Next Generation workshop shines a spotlight on the important role young professionals must play in shaping the future of the asset finance sector. It is one way in which AFC can support the Leasing Foundation's efforts to nurture, empower and retain emerging talent in the industry. During the next-gen session, participants will have the opportunity to connect with their peers in other lending businesses, widening their networks beyond their immediate businesses. We hope it will also help facilitate the exchange of ideas among the next generation of leaders, sparking the innovation necessary to fuel growth and to better serve borrowers."
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- Director at UK Small Business Campbell Environmental Oil Ltd Added
Emily Campbell, Director at UK small business Campbell Environmental Oil Ltd added: "I know first-hand how important my network has been in helping me successfully run my business. At every moment I've been surrounded by other entrepreneurs to advise me on what can be overwhelming decisions. For example, when it comes to funding your business, it can be hard to see what bigger trends or factors might be at play, helping or hindering you.
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- Email Head of Events
- Head of Events
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- Managing Director of Novuna Business Finance
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- Leasing Foundation Board Member
Helena Thernstrom (pictured), Leasing Foundation board member and inclusion lead commented "This year's IWD theme ‘Inspire Inclusion' is incredibly close to my heart. In an increasingly polarised world, it is also a poignant call to action. Inclusion should be both the vision and mission of our efforts. Women make up half of the world's population and yet, are universally underrepresented in positions of power and in spaces where key decisions are taken. If we can ensure that women are better included, we will have come a long way on behalf of all underrepresented groups! I love what is set out on the IWD webpage: ‘IWD belongs to everyone, everywhere. Inclusion means all IWD action is valid'.
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- Sales Director Europe at NETSOL Technologies
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- Business Development Director
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- AFC 's Head of Equipment Finance
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- Managing Director of Simply Asset Finance 's Liverpool
John Wiles, Managing Director of Simply Asset Finance's Liverpool Office, said: "Our Liverpool office's phenomenal growth is a testament to the talented team and our commitment to building our regional footprint to support even more SMEs grow and thrive.
Josh Skelding - Chief Commercial Officer
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- Commercial Director
- Commercial Director at Fignum
Josh Skelding, Commercial Director at Fignum said: "Joining Asset Finance Connect as a Corporate Member represents a key milestone for us at Fignum. As a provider of loan origination solutions, we are committed to enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the automotive finance sector. The partnership with Asset Finance Connect allows us to collaborate closely with industry leaders, sharing our technological expertise to drive forward the evolution of technology in motor finance. Our goal is to set new benchmarks for innovation and service in the industry with highly configurable software ensuring that we remain at the forefront of developments that benefit providers."
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- Millbrook 's Managing Director
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- Commercial Director at Aldermore
Lee Rhodes (pictured), Commercial Director at Aldermore said: "We're delighted to join the Asset Finance Connect as a corporate member, further demonstrating Aldermore's commitment to the asset finance industry.
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- Head of Asset Finance Operations at United Trust Bank
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- Chief Strategic Development Officer at BFS Comments
Lucile Flamand, Chief Strategic Development Officer at BFS comments: "According to the Rose Review, £250bn in value could be added to the UK economy if women matched the number of men starting and scaling a business, and a critical dependency of this is being able to access finance. With many high street sources re-appraising their risk appetite for SME lending owing to rising insolvencies in the past year, systemic bias could be intensifying the issue for women-led enterprises, despite data showing that women-led businesses are less likely to face administration."
Helen Lumb was nominated for the award by Shire Leasing's CEO, Mark Picken, who described Helen as Shire Leasing's social conscience, "a passionate and determined individual whose dedication to this cause has been recognised already by the FLA as a newly appointed director and the Leasing Foundation, again as a director. This recognition is not just for championing wellbeing but diversity, inclusion, social conscience and many other similar subjects. She doesn't just talk the talk, she walks the walk. More likely, as they will discover, she runs the run!"
As well as her day-to-day role, Helen has been involved in numerous new social initiatives at Shire Leasing, including the introduction of Motivational Maps in 2015 - a tool aimed at understanding motivation in individuals, which looks at motivational factors related to relationships, achievement and growth and helps individuals to understand themselves as well as the motivations of others; the Wellbeing initiative which she proposed and championed in 2017, encompassing four streams - physical wellbeing, mental and psychological wellbeing, professional wellbeing and social wellbeing; starting Shire's Sustainability initiative, chairing, championing and driving the People, Planet, Profit programme throughout Shire's business model and objectives; and Shire's volunteering scheme, promoting that ‘giving back' in the form of volunteering, is a great way to develop oneself, support Shire's community and philanthropy and recognise the significant benefits from supporting and volunteering in charities and social enterprises.
"Helen holds a strong belief that connection to other people and our community is fundamental to protecting mental health and inclusion in the workplace, making everyone feel valued irrespective of background, is essential to achieving this," according to Picken.
The social impact of an organisation is extremely important, according to Lumb: "We have to remember that ultimately organisations are run by people and the culture within the organisation is therefore driven by the people who run those businesses. Many of us have our own social conscience and it is therefore important that our values are aligned if we are able to bring our whole selves to work, be motivated and add value to our organisations.
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- Head of FSB
- National Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses to Keynote UK Asset Finance Connect Conference in June
Martin McTague, National Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses to keynote UK Asset Finance Connect Conference in June
Martin McTague, head of FSB who will be talking to lenders direct about the compelling opportunities for the industry to drive growth among SMEs, removing the gap created by indiscriminate use of personal guarantees with otherwise credit-worthy SMEs who prefer opt for no finance to losing their homes in the event of their businesses defaulting.
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- Managing Director, TMF France
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- Managing Director, Sytner Finance
Mike Randall (pictured), CEO at Simply said, "It fills me with immense pride to witness what our team has achieved over the past seven years. Success at Simply is not defined solely by financial results, but it is also measured through customer satisfaction and upholding the strong culture within the business, and we keep this at the core of our practices every day.
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- Chairman of the Leasing Foundation, Added
- Head of Asset Finance at United Trust Bank
- Outgoing Chair of the Leasing Foundation
- Second Chair
Nathan Mollett, outgoing chair of the Leasing Foundation said: "We're thrilled to be collaborating with Asset Finance Connect for yet another Next Generation Workshop at the AFC Summer conference. These sessions provide the industry's young talent with a superb platform to collaborate with their peers and discuss ways to positively shape the future of our industry."
Nathan Mollett, Head of Asset Finance at United Trust Bank and chair of the Leasing Foundation, has successfully completed the Marathon des Sables (MDS) Legendary, described as the ‘toughest footrace on Earth,' raising over £14,500 for two worthy charities.
Nathan Mollett, Head of Asset Finance at United Trust Bank, and Rev. Dr. K. Bill Dost, Group CEO at DND Finance, have successfully completed day one of the Marathon des Sables, described as ‘the toughest footrace on Earth'.
UTB's Nathan Mollett is currently competing in the 2024 event to raise money for two deserving charities - the South East Cancer Help Centre and Wings for Life, a charity which funds research into cures for spinal cord injuries. Nathan has covered the full costs of entry to the event and travel expenses himself so every penny raised will be split equally between the two charities.
Nathan Mollett, chair of The Leasing Foundation, added: "As we celebrate International Women's Day, we recognise the invaluable contributions of women in the asset finance industry. Their resilience, expertise, and leadership have propelled our sector forward, shaping a more inclusive and dynamic landscape.
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- Chief Operating Officer, Explained That the Challenge 's Aim Is Worthy
Nathan Smith, Chief Operating Officer, explained that the challenge's aim is worthy: "We are aiming to raise money for Alzheimer's Research UK. This is one of our nominated charity partners and is an organisation that touches the hearts of many people in the business. When we were arranging the challenge, it was important that we gave something back and Alzheimer's Research UK was a fitting partner for this."
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- Managing Director of InterBay Asset Finance Commented
Paul Fazakerley, Managing Director of InterBay Asset Finance commented: "The AFPA Trust Big Quiz holds a special place in our hearts as we return as the reigning Big Quiz winners. But more importantly, it gives us an opportunity to contribute towards a vital cause and make a positive impact on the lives of young people. We are also proud to be the pre-quiz drinks sponsors at the AFPA Trust Big Quiz 2024."
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- Chief Executive Officer of the Broker Hub, Will Be the Keynote Speaker, Presenting to the Next Gen Community at the AFC Workshop
Philip White (BrokerHub) will be addressing the next-gen workshop on the related topic of resilience. Philip started BrokerHub his business designed to assist brokers to develop better businesses, and did it despite a life changing injury a few years ago.
Philip White, Chief Executive Officer of the Broker Hub, will be the keynote speaker, presenting to the next gen community at the AFC workshop.
Philip suffered a spinal cord injury following an accident at home in 2019, leaving him with a broken C5 vertebrae and damage to his spinal cord. Philip's resilience and determination amidst adversity have been instrumental in carrying him through profound physical and mental hurdles.
In addition to his role as CEO of the Broker Hub and various non-executive position within financial organisations, Philip is patron of the Wings for Life foundation, a not-for-profit spinal cord research foundation with the mission to find a cure for spinal cord injury.
At the Next Generation Workshop, Philip will develop the theme of managing adversity and developing resilience within the workplace, sharing his personal and professional experiences.
Next gen delegates will then be invited to join roundtables to network and engage in insightful discussion with their peers focusing on issues arising from Philip's presentation including adversity, resilience, endurance, goal setting, discipline, strategic planning, focus, time management, adaptability, and self motivation. Delegates should be prepared to share their own experiences of adversity both in their personal and professional lives, and how these experiences have helped to shape their career outlook.
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- Automotive Finance Director
- Director of Automotive Finance, Auto Trader
Rachael Jones, Automotive Finance Director, Auto Trader said, "The automotive industry is going through a significant period of change. Electric and autonomous vehicles are set to change how and what consumers drive, whilst agency models, omnichannel retailing and subscription services will change how consumers buy or use cars. Based on circa 80m visits to our platform every month, as well as our partnership with around 14,000 retailer partners, and all major manufacturers, our data offers the largest and most accurate view of the UK's retail market.
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- Director General at Leaseurope
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- AFPA Trust Chair Said
- Chairman of the AFPA Trust (
Robert Taylor, AFPA Trust Chair said: "AFPA Trust are delighted that 2023's Big Quiz winners InterBay Asset Finance are not just returning to attempt back-to-back wins and receive further donations for their chosen charity, but they are also sponsoring the pre-quiz drinks reception to toast their year's reign as holders of the Rivermore Asset Finance trophy. We hope every returning winner will also want to celebrate their year as champions in such fashion.
Roger Potgieter, Partner at TLT LLP said, "I am thrilled that TLT is partnering with Asset Finance Connect as a corporate member. AFC plays a leading role in bringing the asset finance and motor finance communities together, driving thought leadership, debate, and innovation, while TLT is a leading national law firm with one of the UK's largest financial services teams. We already work with many clients in the AFC community, and so it feels like a natural home for us.
Roxanne Goodman, founder of Female Founder Finance, an independent finance broker dedicated to improving access to finance for women-owned businesses, said: "Women-founded businesses are less likely to face insolvency, and typically want to borrow less than male-owned enterprises, but there seems to be a distinct lack of appetite from lenders to back these businesses. At Female Founder Finance, all too often, we hear examples of women owners being asked about their care responsibilities by lenders, which isn't the case for their male counterparts. Despite commitments from public and private sector organisations, the situation hasn't improved over the past 10 years."
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- Head of the Consumer Redress Association
Simon Evans, head of the Consumer Redress Association who will talk about the gaps in the FOS lead consumer complaints customer journey which claims management companies can plug if the regulator will let them.
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- Managing Director, Financial Services, Mazda Motor Europe
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- Director of Asset Finance at Time Finance Commented
Steve Nichols, Director of Asset Finance at Time Finance commented: "Being named Asset Finance Provider of the Year 2023 was a huge privilege and one that the team is extremely proud of. It's a real testament to the hard work and dedication that runs through our team; the business has come a long way over the years and this recognition from Asset Finance Connect reminds us of the clear commitment Time Finance has to being a flexible, accessible and innovative funder."
Wayne Gibbard partner at Shoosmiths will provide his observations on the impact of a switch from legal process to regulation which has lead to Barclay's Bank needing to appeal a decision using the high bar of judicial review, on a complaint which seemingly lacks any merit and where the customer seems to have been treated rather well by an industry which has taken repeat business as a sign that customers are happy.
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- European Head of YRD Alliance
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- Chief Operating Officer of Simply