People: Lowell expands executive team; Director hire for automotive data experts; and more

Credit manager Lowell has made two senior appointments to its UK executive team.

Bill Flynn has been recruited as group general counsel & UK chief risk officer, and Laurence Hamilton takes on the role of managing director UK servicing and business development.

Flynn joins the Leeds-based company from Wonga Group, where he was group general counsel. He joined Wonga in 2015 where was responsible for steering the business through a period of regulatory scrutiny. This culminated in the business achieving FCA authorisation in 2016.  Flynn has an extensive financial services background, having held senior roles at GE Capital, Zurich Financial Services and Capquest.

He will lead the group legal function, reporting directly to group CEO James Cornell, and will be responsible for risk and compliance in the UK, reporting to a soon to be appointed a group CRO.

Hamilton joins the business from Equifax, where he was managing director of TDX group and senior vice president of international debt services. He has worked in financial services in a variety of capacities including general management, data analytics, marketing, sales and client relationships for over 20 years.

He will take overall responsibility for the development and commercial performance of Fredrickson, the third-party collection business, and lead Lowell’s key business development strategies.

Cornell said: “I am excited to be welcoming Bill and Laurence into the UK executive team, and look forward to working with them to achieve our vision – to be the best in our field.

“Adding such high calibre people with such extensive financial services experience is vital to evolving and delivering our business strategy, while maintaining our core values as we continue to grow.”

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Leeds based, automotive data experts cap hpi has appointed Amanda Hardcastle as head of human resources.

Hardcastle joins the business from senior roles at Close Brothers Motor Finance and CallCredit Information Group. She also supported cap hpi’s management team through the process of bringing cap and hpi together in 2015.

She will report into Jean-François Boulineau, acting head of human resources at Solera Holdings. She will be responsible for supporting the company’s rapid international rollout and talent search.

Hardcastle said: “cap hpi continues to evolve as a leading provider of digital and data solutions across the automotive supply chain. Our expansion will be supported by creating a high-performance culture that can attract and retain the best talent the industry has to offer.”

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Arthur J. Gallagher, specialist in risk management and commercial insurance solutions, has appointed Andrew Brown as the new branch director of the Wakefield office as it looks to build on a solid first half of the year.

Brown joins the business from insurance broker Jelf, and has 30 years of experience in the insurance market, supported by a strong understanding of the Yorkshire region. He comes into the position as current head of office in Wakefield, Richard Barraclough, looks to focus on his role as regional managing director for the North East region.

The Wakefield office, located on South Parade, has enjoyed a solid first half year performance, following new client wins. In his role, Brown will oversee the corporate team of 30 and identify opportunities to grow the business further.

Jon Simpkin, area managing director for Arthur J. Gallagher in the North, said: “We place a huge emphasis on getting under the skin of our clients to really understand their needs, so it was important for us to hire a new branch director that could demonstrate fantastic client service.

“During his 30 years in the insurance business, Andrew has been a shareholding director, account director with full book of clients and manager of a number of large teams of corporate account holders. He really does understand the pressures our clients face, particularly in the current political and economic climate, where insurance can have an important role to play.

“I look forward to Andrew leading the team in Wakefield to ensure we continue the best possible service for our clients and develop the most appropriate solutions for their risk portfolio.”
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Vital Technology Group, the Wetherby-based provider of business IT services, has recruited two new members of staff to help support its plans for further growth.

Will Brayson has joined Vital’s IT apprenticeship scheme, while Max Butterfield brings with him three years’ experience as a web designer.

Over the next year, Brayson, will divide his time between Vital’s offices in Audby Lane and specialist IT college QA in central Leeds.

Butterfield will concentrate on front-end web development for clients such as Ring Automotive and Arnold Laver.

Lee Evans, managing director of Vital Technology Group, said: “I’d like to welcome Will and Max to the Vital team who’ve both arrived at a really exciting time as we continue to grow, and their individual skill sets will help us further expand.”