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FLA - Finance & Leasing Association
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FLA - Finance & Leasing Association
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A NEW FLA PLATFORM FOR IMPACT

Big questions. Different perspectives. No easy answers.

A new FLA podcast exploring the big questions facing lending, finance and the wider economy.

Explore Impact & Future of Finance

MEET THE VOICES BEHIND PROVOCATIONS

Across six conversations, Provocations brings together leaders and experts from finance, business, economics and regulation to explore some of the big questions facing lending and the wider economy.

Meet the guests joining Nihal Arthanayake throughout the series, and discover the organisations supporting each conversation.

01 | THE ECONOMY

Catherine L Mann, External Member, Monetary Policy Committee, Bank of England

Catherine L. Mann is an economist and member of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee. Her research and policy work has spanned international economics, trade, finance, productivity and inequality. Before joining the Bank of England, she held senior roles at the OECD, Citibank, Brandeis University and the Peterson Institute for International Economics.

Robert Gordon, CEO of Novuna

With more than 40 years’ experience in the finance industry, Robert has served as CEO of the Group since 2015. Having joined the business in 2006, he has held several senior leadership roles, including Business Finance Managing Director, Group Finance Director and Chief Operating Officer. Robert also serves on the Nomination Committee and is Corporate Officer for Mitsubishi HC Capital Inc. He began his career with Touche Ross and is an Economics graduate and Chartered Accountant.

02 | ACCESS TO FINANCE

Alison Walters, Director, Consumer Finance, Financial Conduct Authority

Alison is responsible for the supervision and policy of consumer credit firms.  Alison has worked at the FCA (and its predecessor the Financial Services Authority) for more than 25 years and worked on strategic, policy and supervisory issues across general insurance, Payments and retail and wholesale banking sectors and Enforcement. 

Rick Kelsey, Financial journalist and broadcaster

Rick is a financial journalist and broadcaster, bringing experience of explaining financial and economic issues to a wider audience.

03 | ENERGY

Maria Carvalho, Head of Sustainability Policy, Insight and Research, NatWest

Dr Maria Carvalho is a sustainability and climate economics specialist at NatWest, with expertise spanning climate economics, data and the transition to a lower-carbon economy. Her work has explored the role of finance and investment in supporting sectors through the transition to net zero.

Dhara Vyas, CEO of Energy UK
Dhara Vyas is Chief Executive Officer of Energy UK. She has more than 15 years’ experience in energy policy, with particular expertise in energy consumers and the transition to a low-carbon energy system. Before joining Energy UK, she led Citizens Advice’s work on net zero, decarbonisation and the future energy system.

04 | ASSET

Paul Edwards, Managing Director of Specialist Businesses, Lombard

Paul Edwards is Managing Director of Lombard’s specialist businesses, with extensive experience in asset finance and supporting businesses with the investment they need to grow.

Rachael Woods, Managing Director, Capital & Alliances, Ricoh Europe

Rachael leads Ricoh’s European leasing business and strategic vendor and distribution alliances, helping customers access integrated finance solutions.
With more than 30 years’ experience in financial services, Rachael has held senior leadership roles across sales, marketing, operations and business transformation, including at General Electric and CIT Bank.
She is also an Executive Committee Member of the European Captive Forum.

05 | TECHNOLOGY

Alastair Lukies CBE, Entrepreneur and FinTech Pioneer

Alastair Lukies CBE is a fintech entrepreneur and a leading voice on the future of financial services. He co-founded Monitise, which pioneered mobile banking and payments, and later founded Pollinate, a platform helping banks support small businesses.
His latest venture, LEAP, is focused on helping people turn ideas into businesses. Alastair has also worked closely with government and was appointed a Business Ambassador by Prime Minister David Cameron. He was awarded a CBE in 2014 for services to mobile banking and charity.

Kate Pender, CEO of Fair4All Finance

Kate Pender is Chief Executive Officer of Fair4All Finance, an organisation focused on improving financial inclusion and access to fair and affordable financial services. She has worked extensively on issues around financial exclusion and access to responsible credit.

06 | THE FUTURE

Vicky Pryce, Chief Economic Adviser, Centre for Economics and Business Research

Vicky is one of the UK’s most respected economists, bringing a brilliant mix of high-level government experience and sharp market analysis. As a former Joint Head of the Government Economic Service, she offers  clear insights on industrial strategy and structural economic trends. She has a unique talent for making complex macroeconomic realities instantly digestible.

Shanika Amarasekara MBE, Chief Executive Officer, Finance & Leasing Association

Shanika Amarasekara MBE is Chief Executive of the Finance & Leasing Association. She brings experience across financial services, public policy and impact investing, and previously served as Chief Impact Officer and General Counsel at the British Business Bank. As FLA CEO, she focuses on the role of finance in supporting consumers, businesses and the wider UK economy.

 

OUR EPISODE SPONSORS

Provocations is made possible with the support of organisations working across finance, business and the wider economy.
We’re grateful to our episode sponsors for supporting conversations that explore the questions shaping the future of lending.

Making the conversations possible

Alfa is a provider of software solutions for the automotive and asset finance industries, supporting finance businesses with technology designed to manage and automate lending and leasing processes.
Find out more
Lloyds Banking Group is a UK-based financial services group serving retail and commercial customers through brands including Lloyds Bank, Bank of Scotland and Scottish Widows. Its services include banking, lending, leasing, investment and insurance.
Find out more
Lombard is a UK asset finance provider supporting businesses with access to finance for vehicles, machinery, equipment, technology and other specialist assets. Its work spans businesses of different sizes and sectors, helping them invest and grow.
Find out more

Have a question for Provocations?

If you want to submit a question for the podcast, send it to Provocations@fla.org.uk