Describe your responsibilities as Group Risk Director?
My remit covers regulatory compliance, risk management and controls, credit, collections, legal and insurance. I work closely with Arbuthnot Latham in relation to these areas to ensure AAG meets its compliance and internal audit requirements, thus maintaining our ‘licence to operate’. Day to day, my primary responsibility is oversight and approval of credit lines for our customers. I oversee our collections team who perform a critical role by ensuring our customers pay what is due. I also chair our Executive, Residual Risk, Credit, and Potential & Problem Debt Management Committees.
What do you enjoy most about working for Asset Alliance Group?
The camaraderie across the business. We employ a fantastic bunch of people who demonstrate time and again their commitment to AAG and willingness to help each other. It’s a great place to work. I genuinely learn new things every week. That’s the beauty of my role. Since joining AAG in December 2018, my knowledge and experience has increased enormously.
What’s the best thing about your team/department?
We don’t take ourselves too seriously and like to have a bit of fun. Everyone mucks in when required and every member of my team across credit and collections is just brilliant at what they do. That makes our lives so much easier, as we can rely on each other to do our jobs and provide support.
Can you offer an example of the positive company culture at AAG and supportive management?
The big one for me was how the business dealt with Covid. It was a scary time for everyone in 2020 and the way in which actions were taken by management and support was provided to teams and individuals, some of whom faced very challenging circumstances, was exceptional. From ensuring people felt safe and protected, to providing the tools to allow them to work remotely, senior leadership figures had to adapt their management style and rely on the trust they had in their teams to continue to do our best for our customers. It brought home to me how everyone at AAG lives by our core values.
Who or what inspires you in your day to day work?
I am inspired by the resilience shown by AAG staff. No matter the challenges that are faced, whether achieving revenue targets, ensuring our new IT system is fit for purpose or simply getting through a huge workload, everyone does what’s necessary to overcome them. And they do it with a smile on their face.
Describe yourself in five words?
Affable, thoughtful, caring, determined and stubborn.
Who is your role model or hero outside work, and why?
Sir Steve Redgrave. His determination, resilience and drive is truly inspiring. The degree of physical and mental endurance to achieve what he did in rowing was remarkable. He simply demonstrated that what you get out of life is all about the level of effort and commitment you are prepared to put in.
Describe your perfect day off, what do you like to do?
It would be taking my family sailing on a sunny day with a moderate breeze. I was fortunate enough to grow up with boats around us, this being a passion of my dad. Nothing fancy, mainly dinghies and small motor boats. I don’t get the chance to sail much these days so every time we do is quite special.
