Close Brothers bolsters tech financing effort with ‘big hitters’

Close Brothers says it has appointed three industry “heavy hitters” to its Technology Services Division, to enhance the division’s offering and drive business growth for the company.

Set up in Q4 2015, Close Brothers Technology Services forms part of the Close Brothers Leasing and Rentals division, and offers UK businesses support when acquiring, deploying, financing and managing their technology assets.

Now reporting to Ian McVicar, managing director, are Sean Callanan, director of technology and services; Nick Moody, director of business development; and David Forbes, director of sales.

Callanan joins Close Brothers from Hewlett Packard Financial Services, where he held the position of asset recovery leader responsible for managing the technology value-add services offered to HP’s customers across EMEA. He will lead on the division’s sustainability solutions offering and focus on the re-use of IT, enabling customers to take advantage of a “true circular IT economy”.

Moody and Forbes join Close Brothers from Lombard Technology Services.

Moody led Lombard’s business development activities, and brings 16 years’ experience in sales, strategy and business development, as well as a solid background in financial services marketing, said Close Brothers. He will head up business development for Close Brothers Technology Services.

Forbes held the position of regional sales director, joining the Lombard Technology Services board in 2012. He will now lead Close’s sales effort.

Ian McVicar, managing director of Close Brothers Technology Services, said: “These new hires are further evidence of the high calibre team we are creating at Close Brothers Technology Services. By adding additional expertise to our business, we aim to be the go-to provider for businesses looking to reduce their IT expenditure, boost efficiency, and improve control to deliver more sustainable solutions.”

Close Brothers Leasing and Rentals provides specialist, structured finance solutions for the UK “middle ticket market”, with transactions typically between £1 million and £25 million in value.

@AntonySavvas