Close Brothers Motor Finance makes key appointments

Close Brothers Motor Finance (CBMF) has announced two senior appointments. Clare Bradley, formerly Director of Sales Optimisation (Retail), has been appointed Commercial Director, and Neil Leonard, formerly Head of Marketing, has been appointed Marketing Director.

Clare, who has been with CBMF for six years, has previously held senior sales and commercial roles in various industries, including media and technology, before moving into the automotive sector. At Close Brothers Motor Finance, she has played a key part in building a new sales optimisation function, along with developing CBMF’s CRM/Salesforce capability. In her new role she will take on the responsibility of leading the Product team, working to deliver CBMF’s product roadmap and to successfully embed new products into the business.

Prior to joining CBMF in 2016, Neil spent 10 years at Allianz, which he joined through their graduate programme. In his eight years at Close Brothers Motor Finance, he has driven strong results across all of Close Brothers’ key business metrics, expanding capabilities across Brand, Digital and Communications. As Marketing Director Neil will continue to grow these capabilities over the next 12 months and beyond.

Clare Bradley, Commercial Director at CBMF commented: “Looking to the future, it’s a genuine source of excitement to be able to help build our product strategy alongside a very talented group of colleagues. I am passionate about combining our traditional strengths and developing them into new capabilities.

“In my time at CBMF I have witnessed genuine growth and development in the business and I look forward to helping to shape the commercial and product strategy to its full potential – for colleagues, partners and our end customers,” she added.

Neil Leonard, Marketing Director at CBMF, commented: “Now more than ever, CBMF continues to evolve and adapt to our ever-changing markets, and I’m looking forward to playing a key role in helping the business to continue on this journey.

He continued, “Since I joined CBMF in 2016, I’ve always been impressed with how the business centres everything it does around its colleagues, customers and partners. Over the years, we’ve adapted and evolved at pace, introducing new technologies, enhanced our proposition, and strengthened our brand in the markets we choose to operate in. We have many opportunities ahead of us, both internally and externally, and that’s what keeps me excited about the future at CBMF.”

Seán Kemple, CEO of Motor UK and Retail Finance Ireland, said: “Credit is due to both Neil and Clare for their exemplary work keeping the wheels spinning in both the sales and marketing departments over the years.

“It’s a testament to our company values, expertise and excellent company culture that many of our colleagues are celebrating such impressive milestones.”