The UK’s fastest growing online motor finance firm, Manchester based CarFinance 247, has made three senior level appointments to further bolster its capabilities in providing award winning customer service and to support its expansion plans in 2017.
Julie Atkinson joins as Compliance Director, Matthew Williams has been appointed to a newly created role of Head of Learning & Development and Andrew Haines becomes Head of Marketing.
Julie brings more than 15 years of experience in compliance to CarFinance 247, joining the company from Different Money (Loans) where she was Compliance Director. Prior to this Julie held senior positions at Travelex, Lifestyle Service Group (Insurance), Hammonds and Thomas Cook.
As an FCA approved professional, in her new role at CarFinance 247 she will ensure that compliance supports the business as it continues to establish its position as a leading national online finance brand, assuring any new business practices and products are fully compliant with the regulators. She said: “Having worked with start-ups through to large PLCs, and having previously taken a business through the full authorisation process with the FCA, I bring a wealth of compliance knowledge to CarFinance 247, working with the senior management team applying best practice processes and procedures.”
The appointments come on the back of a hugely successful year for the firm. In the past 12 months, it has more than doubled its workforce and created a new employee training division, Academy 247.
As Head of Learning and Development, Matthew Williams has been appointed to oversee Academy 247. He joins from software specialist Sage.
Matthew said: “We have created a new internal brand, Academy 247, that encompasses all of our development activity within the business. Its aim is to become a world-class learning and talent programme and to provide our employees with exceptional personal and career development support, supporting new starters and nurturing talent from within. My remit is to also embed and bring to life CarFinance 247’s guiding principles that have been designed to reinforce the company’s beliefs, values and commitment to customer service as we grow.“
Following the introduction of a new external brand and proposition, Andrew Haines joins CarFinance 247 to help take the marketing and brand awareness to the next level and to help the business further establish its position as the brand leader in the market. Andrew has held high-ranking marketing roles within the Fairpoint Group, MBNA Bank of America, Simplyhealth and BUPA prior to joining CarFinance 247.
He said: “The culture, people and momentum within CarFinance 247 make this, what I believe to be, one of the most exciting businesses in the UK and I’m looking forward to helping to contribute to the next chapter in CarFinance 247’s success story.”
Managing director Reg Rix added: “Our ongoing success is very much down to our people, culture and a team effort, with a single-minded goal to continue to deliver the best customer experience in the sector. Julie, Matthew and Andrew each bring a wealth of relevant experience into the business and will help us as we expand market share and gain further recognition as a leading motor finance brand in 2017.”
