Meet the Expert: Paul Howard, Senior Business Development Manager
Paul Howard is a Senior Business Development Manager in our Business Contract Hire (BCH) team.
Tell us about your role and your current responsibilities
I am a Senior Business Development Manager in the Close Brothers Wholesale Finance team, and specifically for our Business Contract Hire (BCH) product. I’ve been with Close Brothers for nearly 10 years, originally joining as an Account Manager.?
My role is national in its scope, involving the management of 20 accounts across the UK. My main responsibility is to build relationships with new and existing contract hire and rental businesses.
The role is very varied; I spend time on the road for regular customer visits, while keeping up to date with quotes and credit papers.
Who is a ‘typical’ customer and how do you work with them?
Our typical customer is an independent contract hire or rental business in the Fleet News top 50 by fleet size. We maintain strong working relationships by holding regular meetings, either in person or over the phone. We aim to be a key funder on their panel by differentiating our products and services.
What is your outlook for the sector?
The sector has only really known change and it adapts incredibly well. Examples include the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP), changes in Government, Brexit, Covid, interest rate rises, and new vehicle supply issues.
There have always been different pressures and change within the industry, but the robustness of our customers, who look at alternative methods or target markets to navigate their way, is the key to why they are a success.
All we know for sure is that our customers will continue to trade their way through these challenges, and we will continue to support them along the journey.
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What is it about working for the Close Brothers Wholesale Finance team that is different to your previous roles?
I am fortunate to have worked at some great places, meeting some wonderful people along the way. The difference here, in comparison to my last few jobs, is that you feel your ideas and concerns are listened to.
When I started at Close Brothers, there were 10 employees in the Wholesale Finance team. We now have over 50 employees spread across five areas. While we have grown, there is still the ‘family’ mentality that makes the business successful and a great place to work.
What’s your favourite part of the role?
Getting out and speaking to customers. I have met some amazing people from different backgrounds during my time at Close Brothers, which is such a great part of the job.
I have known some of our customers for nearly 10 years, so you naturally get to know them as people and not ‘just’ a CEO or MD of a business.
Tell us one thing people may not know about you
I am a qualified carpenter and joiner and worked for my dad between the ages of 16 and 22.
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