Preston Rogers replaces Spencer Halil as director of Alphera

Then, in September 2015, Rogers moved to the UK to become the general manager of BMW Group brands and most recently, general manager of digital, insurance solutions and sales channels.

As a subsidiary of the BMW Group, Alphera Financial Services provides a range of flexible finance, lease and insurance products to the new and used car consumer finance markets. In contrast, Alphabet is the business mobility subsidiary for the BMW Group, offering a range of car and commercial vehicle funding solutions.

Rogers said: “I’m very pleased to be returning to the Alphera fold, especially at a time when we will be celebrating 15 years of the brand in the UK market. In that time the business has made incredible strides in establishing best practices within the industry, being recognised as a progressive market player and developing a select network of Partners that is truly industry-leading in terms of business quality, performance and customer orientation.

“Over the coming months Spencer and I will work closely to ensure that the business’ growth trajectory continues as we start a new chapter of the Alphera success story in the UK.”

In his new post, Rogers will be replacing Spencer Halil (pictured above) who is set to move within the BMW Group to take over from Simon Carr as chief commercial officer for Alphabet.

Halil’s career to date has spanned several major names in the finance sector including Lloyds Bowmaker, PSA Financial Services, Volkswagen Financial Services before moving to BMW Financial Services. He began his career with Alphera in 2006 as a national sales manager and director where he was responsible for business development and maximising volumes and profitability through the sales force.

Having held this role for five years Halil moved to Melbourne, Australia as general manager of BMW brands financing and Alphabet fleet services where he was responsible for managing the productivity of BMW, Mini and Alphabet business lines within the Australian subsidiary.

According to Alphera, Halil has headed up the UK business for the past five years and overseen a period of substantial growth, as well as innovations such as the accreditation partnership to improve industry standards with the Institute of Motor Industry (IMI) – of which he is also a fellow – and the recent Alphera Zero carbon-offset finance product.

Halil explained: “Having worked in the motor finance industry for more than 24 years, I am a firm believer in the power of people and relationships, so I know that the best results are always achieved through strong teamwork. With any new opportunity, the most difficult part is always to move on from a successful, award-winning team, such as we’ve built at Alphera, as well as the first class partner network that I’ve been closely involved with during my two spells leading the business.

“But in life it’s important to seize an opportunity when it presents itself and I’ll depart in the new year with incredible pride in what we’ve delivered as a business, as a team and as a network of Alphera partners around the UK. I know Alphera will be in extremely good hands as Preston and I worked closely together on developing the business nearly a decade ago and I’m sure he will bring fresh perspectives and his own personality to the role.”

Nick Brownrigg, chief executive officer at Alphabet, added: “Spencer has tremendous experience in the industry, and his extensive knowledge will prove invaluable across a number of our strategic projects in the UK. I’d also like to say a personal thank you to Simon for all his work and achievements during his time at Alphabet, and particularly for extending his time with us to enable a smooth transition and handover in the commercial division.”

Richard Schooling to leave Alphabet International

Alphabet has also announced that Richard Schooling (pictured above) will leave the business at the end of 2020 to follow new professional opportunities. Richard joined the BMW Group in 1997 as a part of the original management team that first established Alphabet.

Following a number of roles in Alphabet and BMW Financial Services, Richard became chief executive officer of Alphabet (GB) between 2011 and 2016 before heading to Munich to join the Alphabet International Management Board as global chief commercial officer.

Schooling said: “I look back on my years in the Group with huge pride, and I’m very happy how Alphabet has come from a being a ‘start up’ to a company now present in 31 markets operating a portfolio of over 700,000 vehicles.”