Industry moves round-up: Appointments at FCA, ALPHERA and Rockstead

Jodie Martinelli-Oliver, Court Enforcement Services 

Toward the end of March, the Court Enforcement Services announced that Jodie Martinelli-Oliver would be promoted to the role of director of business services from her role as head of business process and strategy. 

Since she joined the company in 2014, according to the firm, Martinelli-Oliver has demonstrated a track record in effective change management and streamlining processes, allowing colleagues to improve their ways of working. 

She has also led the way on staff development, mentoring several colleagues into more senior roles, and has provided her colleagues with support and guidance on a daily basis. 

As part of her new role, she will provide representation at the board level for all business services functions whilst also taking responsibility for change management, procurement, business policies and supplier management. 

Commenting on the news, the Court Enforcement Services’ managing director Daron Robinson said: “I am delighted to promote Jodie into this new role. This well-deserved promotion is in recognition of the important part she has played in the unprecedented growth of the business.” 

Martinelli-Oliver added: “I am incredibly proud to have been part of what the business has achieved over the last eight years and with the support of my fantastic colleagues I look forward to helping the business achieve further success in the future.”

Daniel Temple, ALPHERA Financial Services

Earlier this month (April) Daniel Temple was appointed ALPHERA Financial Services’ head of sales development. He brings with him 10 years experience in sales and business development, and moves to this new position from BMW Financial Services where he held the position of sales channel development manager. 

At BMW Temple developed new and existing sales channels for the group’s brands. As part of his role, he launched the “Full Circle Retail Programme” - an upstream remarketing initiative designed to retain BMW Group vehicles within the Franchise Retailer Network. 

Commenting on the news, Mike Dennett - chief executive of BMW Group Financial Services and ALPHERA Financial Services - said: “Daniel has made a great impact within his previous teams and we look forward to more of the same positivity and influence at ALPHERA. 

“He was a driving force behind many key sales channel initiatives at BMW Group Financial Services and we cannot wait to see how he approaches his new role with our ALPHERA brand. He is well acquainted with the BMW Group and the UK retail finance landscape so has already hit the ground running.”

Temple added: “I’ve worked within the retail financial services business in a variety of roles across operations and sales, so bring plenty of practical, hands-on experience as well as new ideas to the table. 

“ALPHERA is a fantastic company with a great culture and team ethos, and a real forward-thinking approach when it comes to vehicle finance. I am really looking forward to this new challenge and being part of a team that drives ALPHERA to the next level.”

David Briggs, Tandem Bank

On 19 April, Tandem Bank announced it had appointed David Briggs as managing director of its car finance division with immediate effect. 

Briggs is the first senior appointment Tandem has made to its executive committee following its acquisition of consumer lender Oplo in January this year. The move is also part of Tandem’s intentions to broaden and develop its product offering across a range of consumer lending products. 

Commenting on his appointment, Briggs said: “I am delighted to be joining Tandem at this exciting time as it accelerates ambitions to build a bank focused on helping customers make fairer and greener financial choices. 

“With net-zero targets becoming increasingly present in customers’ minds and purchasing behaviours, we have a powerful part to play in helping customers do their bit for the planet when it comes to greener financial choices for their motoring needs. 

“We have some exciting, market disrupting products and services to offer customers as part of our relaunch later this year.” 

Jaco Snyman, McLaren Credit Services 

Back in March, Sigma Connected announced Jaco Snyman would be appointed managing director of the company’s newly-formed credit services business - McLaren Credit Services. 

Reporting to Sigma chief executive Gary Gilburd, Snyman will take responsibility for the growth and strategic direction of McLaren Credit Services - a dedicated brand that will support a range of clients who are looking to outsource their account and debt collection processes. 

Snyman joined Sigma in 2021 where he has served as the company’s director of financial services, also growing its BPO offering in the financial and insurance sector. Bringing with him nearly 30 years of experience, he has previously held leadership roles in the financial and consumer finance sectors in the UK and South Africa. 

Commenting on his appointment, Snyman said: “At a time of huge pressures in the market, the launch of McLaren Credit Services is an exciting step for the group and gives a dedicated business which focuses solely on supporting companies with their debt collection processes and ensuring the right outcomes for their customers.

“I have a real passion to make things easy for our clients and their customers. Digital transformation is a big part of that, alongside recruiting the best people who are equipped to facilitate impactful conversations with those who are struggling financially.

“Being part of Sigma Connected also allows us to offer a blend of UK-based and off-shore services for our clients – making good use of our network in South Africa where we have a long-standing record of offering a trusted collections service for UK clients.

“We already have an experienced management team in place and a superb team of advisors which we are determined to grow even further through new business wins.”

Gilburd added: “Jaco is the perfect person to lead McLaren Credit Services. He knows the market inside out and is already making a considerable impact as we create a formidable debt collection business which is at the forefront of great customer service, using the best technology available.

“Overall, the new business allows us to offer stability in what is a hugely volatile market and is bolstered further by the fact we can offer a cost-effective, quality off-shore option in through our established South African business.” 

Martin Sims, Rockstead

Toward the end of March, Rockstead announced it had recruited Martin Sims as its new director of sales and marketing. It comes after spending three and a half years working in the transformation process of distribution and product offerings at United Trust Bank. Sims brings with him more than 25 years of relevant business experience. 

Commenting on the news, Rockstead chief executive Brian Pitt said: "This appointment demonstrates our commitment to invest in the right people to work together to further enhance our client offering. Martin has a breadth of experience within rapidly changing environments that will complement our current team well.”

Sims added: “It is great to be joining this well established and highly respected business, known to be populated by experts in their respective fields. I am excited at the prospect of both working with this team and the opportunities that present.”

Frances Coulson, Insolvency Service 

On 11 April, the Insolvency Service announced it had appointed Frances Coulson to its non-executive board. Alongside fellow non-executive board members, she will work closely with the government body’s senior leadership team to provide strategic leadership and governance for the agency. 

A practising lawyer, Coulson brings with her more than 26 years’ worth of experience in insolvency law and is a senior partner, board member and head of insolvency and restructuring at city-based law firm Wedlake Bell. 

She has been a leading figure within the insolvency industry for a number of years and has served in several positions at insolvency trade body R3. She was president of the organisation between 2011 and 2012 and served as a member of its council before leaving this position earlier this month. 

In addition, Coulson is deputy chair of charity the Fraud Advisory Panel, a special constable with the National Crime Agency and served as deputy chair of the Insolvency Practitioners Association’s regulatory and conduct committee before recently stepping down. 

Commenting on her appointment, the Insolvency Service’s chief executive Dean Beale said: “As the country continues to recover from the economic impacts of the pandemic the Insolvency Service has a vital role to ensure the insolvency framework and insolvency practitioners are well placed to support businesses and individuals.

“Frances is an experienced insolvency professional who will be a valuable addition to our board, helping to support the Insolvency Service in achieving its objectives.” 

Coulson added: “Insolvency is a vital component in even the strongest economy and serves to encourage good corporate behaviour, while ensuring fair competition and fair treatment amongst creditors, the taxpayer and business employees.

“Insolvency is in the spotlight following recent world events and the Insolvency Service’s role in ensuring economic confidence and a robust system is vital. I look forward to working with the Insolvency Service’s senior leadership and my fellow non-executive Board Members to constructively help the agency deliver its objectives.”

Laura Dawes, Dominic Cashman and Craig Chapman, FCA 

At the start of April, regulator the FCA announced it would be appointing two new directors of authorisations, as well as a new finance director. Laura Dawes will take up one of the director of authorisation roles, moving from her current role as the interim director of strategy, policy international and intelligence in the FCA’s enforcement and market oversight division. 

Working alongside Dawes will be Dominic Cashman, joining the regulator from interdealer broker TP ICAP, where he was recently head of integration transformation and, previously, interim group head of operations. The pair will start their new roles in late April and early May. 

May will also see Craig Chapman join the FCA as its finance director. He is currently chief financial officer at telecoms fintech RTX RouteTrader, and before that held senior finance roles at commodities trader ED&F Man and Barclays Capital. 

Chapman’s appointment follows the retirement of David Godfrey as the regulator’s finance director. 

Commenting on these appointments, the FCA’s chief operating officer and executive director of authorisations Emily Shepperd said: “I look forward to welcoming Craig, Dominic and Laura to their new roles later this spring.

“Tackling the risk of consumer harm starts when firms apply to us for authorisation. Dominic and Laura will lead this vital part of the regulatory system. 

“Craig is an experienced chief financial officer who will play a central part in making sure we have the right resources and we’re using them in the best way possible to meet our important objectives.”