COO & Head of Lending

• Aug 2022 - Present

Bloom is Europe’s leading provider of capital to digital entrepreneurs. With founder-friendly financing, Bloom provides businesses with the growth capital they need to grow their digital brands and the control and insights they need to scale it. Bloom is Europe’s leading provider of capital to digital entrepreneurs. With founder-friendly financing, Bloom provides businesses with the growth capital they need to grow their digital brands and the control and insights they need to scale it.

Partner & COO

• Oct 2022 - Present

Co-founder and Partner / COO at Proponent Capital Ltd, an asset manager in the digital credit asset space. Proponent bridges capital markets and fintech in order to build the financial ecosystems of tomorrow. With a uniquely qualified team as well as the strongest set of senior advisors in the market, based in London, we are building a European market leader. Co-founder and Partner / COO at Proponent Capital Ltd, an asset manager in the digital credit asset space. Proponent bridges capital markets and fintech in order to build the financial ecosystems of tomorrow. With a uniquely qualified team as well as the strongest set of senior advisors in the market, based in London, we are building a European market leader.

Managing Director

• Aug 2020 - Present

Founder of specialist consultancy targeting the execution of interim assignments in Regulatory, Banking, Fintech, Operational, Transformation & Change programs. Some of my assignments to date include; • Co-founder of a tech-driven asset manager in the digital credit asset space operating across Europe • Interim COO of a de novo revenue based lender, helping them design and execute their go to market strategy as well transition into live • Board member of a Luxembourg based General Partner for an Asset Manager Show less

Partner & COO

• Feb 2020 - Oct 2022

Co-founder and Partner / COO at Credo Capital Partners, a tech-driven asset manager in the digital credit asset space. Credo Capital Partners bridges capital markets and fintech in order to build the financial ecosystems of tomorrow. With a uniquely qualified team as well as the strongest set of senior advisors in the market, based in both Stockholm and London, we are building a European market leader. Co-founder and Partner / COO at Credo Capital Partners, a tech-driven asset manager in the digital credit asset space. Credo Capital Partners bridges capital markets and fintech in order to build the financial ecosystems of tomorrow. With a uniquely qualified team as well as the strongest set of senior advisors in the market, based in both Stockholm and London, we are building a European market leader.

Interim Chief Operations Officer

• May 2021 - Jan 2022

Helping to launch a next generation European Fintech company focused on small to medium business lending. With their proprietary technology, Bloom offers e-commerce and retail brands access to revenue based funding (between 25,000 EUR and 3M EUR). Helping to launch a next generation European Fintech company focused on small to medium business lending. With their proprietary technology, Bloom offers e-commerce and retail brands access to revenue based funding (between 25,000 EUR and 3M EUR).

Non Executive Director

• Dec 2018 - Jan 2022

Advisor and director to a start up company focussed on bio-degradable products for the UK pet industry. Advisor and director to a start up company focussed on bio-degradable products for the UK pet industry.

Non Executive Director

• Nov 2018 - Jan 2022

Advisor and director to a start up company focussed on bio-degradable products for the UK funeral planning industry. Advisor and director to a start up company focussed on bio-degradable products for the UK funeral planning industry.

Managing Director

• Mar 2016 - Aug 2020

Founder of specialist consultancy targeting the execution of interim assignments in Operational, Transformation & Change programs. Some of my assignments to date include; • The creation of a greenfield Digital Mortgage Lender to include the regulatory application and process, as well as the build and implementation of a bespoke technology stack, including defining and executing on the data strategy. This meant creating and being part of a small bespoke team with the knowledge and skills to create and work across the full spectrum of functions within a regulated business. • The review and enhancement of the operational and control environment for a UK & European focussed SME Lender, as well as the regulatory application and process for them to become a UK Digital Bank. Delivering operational efficiencies by creating a continual improvement culture within the Operational team and enhancing current control and process documentation. • Create a Lean Culture within an established and tenure rich Mutual by creating a learning and development module as well as a Six Sigma team from their exiting Operational FTE. The delivery of operational efficiencies and savings through enhancements to existing processes and the implementation of new technologies and tools. Utilisation existing operational colleagues as “Change Champions” to design and deliver a Knowledge Base which was easily accessible to all to give them guides, hints, tips on existing and new products, processes and tools to simplify the users role and enhance the customer experience. • The creation of a greenfield UK Digital Bank (the UK’s first cloud hosted bank) to include the regulatory application and process. Leading the interaction with the FCA and PRA for all matters relating to Technology & Operations, as well as providing subject matter expertise across all functions. Leading the management of all external vendors for technology & data services, as well as establish the core Operational team. Show less

Chief Operating Officer

• Sep 2018 - Nov 2019

I joined LiveMore at the embryonic stage of the business to define the operational and technology strategy for the later life mortgage lender. As well as directly lead and execute the regulatory application and the overall business, the build included the management and scalable optimisation of all operational functions (i.e. Finance - Operations – Underwriting - IT – Change – Risk – Compliance - HR, including a full bespoke technology stack. Key responsibilities: • Lead the build of a concept mortgage lender through to regulatory approval • Define and lead business budget and overall project delivery including design and implementation of TOM • Design and implementation of Corporate & Programme Governance framework • Design and implementation of customer journey and bespoke technology stack, including data strategy and execution • Identifying, due diligence, on-boarding & managing all external partnerships including a European development team • Recruitment throughout all functions • Produce detailed requirements using multiple methodologies including Agile, Waterfall as well ensuring a TDD (Test Driven Development) approach by our European partners • Providing SME support to other Executives in the design and execution of their functions and control environments Show less

Chief Operating Officer / Transformation Director / Programme Lead (interim)

• Apr 2017 - Sep 2018

Accountable for the set up – management and scalable optimisation of all operational functions (i.e. Operations – IT – Change – Client Management) within a newly established distribution finance company. As the executive change leader, I was accountable and directly led the overall transformation program, primarily focused on obtaining a banking license. Key responsibilities: • Defining and delivering the Operational and Technology Strategy, including data and overall architecture • Leadership of Operations, IT, Change & Facilities functions • Chair of Operations Committee • Accountable for all internal and external relationships with suppliers, including off-shore development • Oversight of circa £2M in operating budgets • Accountable for £2m transformation budget, including forecasting, control & reporting • Creation and implementation of transformation governance including PMO office • Directly managing work streams as well as providing SME support to BAs, PMs, Reporting Analysts on architecture, business requirements, test management and execution etc. Show less

Chief Operating Officer (Lifetime Mortgages)

• Sep 2016 - Apr 2017

Accountable executive for all Operational activities within a newly established lifetime mortgage lender, and operational lead on the creation and launch of a new P&L within the group;•Member of the Executive Team•CF29•Chair of Conduct Risk Committee•Chair of Operations Committee•Member of the Credit & Risk Committee•Member of the Group Customer Strategy Committee•Leadership of Mortgage Processing, Underwriting, Customer Services & Business Support•Oversight and accountability of all internal and external relationships and suppliers to include contracts•Accountable for the Operational Strategy•Implemented a process review and lean techniques that has resulted in 50% efficiency savingAm consolidating bureau services which will result in £800k saving over 3 years Show less

Programme Manager / Management Consultant

• Apr 2016 - Apr 2017

Leading an agile programme consisting of 8 work streams with a budget of £1m with an overall objective to realise a headcount saving of 26FTE by delivering operational efficiencies and enhanced tools, including;• Design and implementation of a revised performance management framework• Design and implementation of a knowledge base via an intranet• Design and implementation of revised operational metrics and reporting process• Design and implementation of revised operational processes using lean methodology• Implementation of an Automated Data Capture solution• Board & executive reporting• Budget control and forecasting• Benefit realisation• Stakeholder alignment and management• Project Management coaching and development • Leading the permanent Process Excellence team, consisting of 1 x black belt & 3 x green belts• Advise and provide direct consultancy at an executive level across the group Show less

Programme & Operations Director (COO)

• Sep 2015 - Feb 2016

Member of the Executive team leading the Operational and Technology upgrade of an established trade finance company with a specific focus on expansion of their product offering and the required control framework. • Leadership of BAU IT & Operations • Creation and management of the transformation strategy in line with the wider business strategy • Design and implementation of a revised Target Operating Model in line with the wider business strategy • Design and implementation of a revised technology architecture, including vendor identification and management • Design & implementation of an enhanced governance and control environment • Design & implementation of a CRM • Rebrand and launch of a revised website Show less

IT & Operations Director / Programme Director (COO)

• Sep 2014 - Sep 2015

Member of the Executive team who have built a challenger bank entering the UK growth SME market, and received full regulatory approval. • Programme Director for business build, including design and implementation of build and business governance, TOM, budget oversight and control, & vendor selection and management • Design and implementation of all business operations & controls • Approved Person (CF29) • Member of ExCo • Chair of OpCo • Executive Leadership for Operations, IT, Transformation, & Facilities • Cultural genesis & people proposition Show less

Operations Director

• Jul 2010 - Aug 2014

Leadership of the mortgage divisions operations including Residential, Commercial and Property Development, which equated to 2/3 of the bank’s balance sheet, including strategy, processes, best practice, leadership development and the customer experience. Accountability for creation and scaling of Mortgage Processing, Customer Services, Collections, BI/MI, Transformation and Facilities. Operational accountability and lead on strategic projects, including securitisation, funding for lending scheme, mortgage market review implementation, portfolio acquisition and migration, people and culture development. Key responsibilities: • Operational lead on all regulatory affairs, including arrow visits • Growth from £0 - £1bn originations with <2% attrition, whilst also achieving Independent 5-star service award for 3 consecutive years • Operational lead on debut securitisation of £330m, to include being part of the investor presentation team • Concept, creation and implementation of a transformation function • Operational lead and acceptance to the Bank of England Funding for Lending Scheme • 30% efficiency realisation through lean reviews and process re-engineering • Migration of £150m mortgage portfolio acquisition • People, Culture and Engagement proposition Show less

Area Manager

• Apr 2006 - Jun 2010

Leadership and accountability of branch networks, including P&L whilst ensuring regulatory adherence and robust risk management during; • Spent 2 years focused on underperforming areas, which saw me cover the South East, London, South West, Midlands & North West to perform operational restructures, process reengineering & coaching, training and mentoring of key individuals • Accountability for gross receivables of between £25-£30 million per month, with a total team of 40 FTE • Leadership and management to ensure the achievement of commercials targets, first class service, minimal losses and regulatory compliance across all products • Leadership and development of branch managers and their teams to ensure succession planning, cultural engagement and empowerment Show less

Branch Manager

• 2004 - 2006

Head hunted to lead the programme to amalgamate two underperforming North Wales branches into a “super branch” and then directly lead it; •Successful amalgamation of the branches within 6 months •Development of an effective and high performing team who exceeded all KPIs & KRIs within first year •Delivery of first class customer service •Implementation of the relevant training and development to ensure the branch complied fully will all relevant legislation, regulatory requirements and procedures Show less

Customer Satsifaction

• 2003 - 2004

Recruitment Manager

• 2000 - 2003

Sales

• 1997 - 2000

Credit Controller

• 1993 - 1997