Close Brothers Motor Finance appoints Lisa Watson as sales director

Newly-appointed Close Brothers Motor Finance sales director Lisa Watson has said she is excited to make a start after seeing the speed of “rapid transformational changes” at the business.

Watson – most recently business development director at Assurant – has almost 20 years’ experience in the motor finance industry and retail banking, including time at Sandicliffe Motor Group, Capital Bank Motor Finance, the Peter Vardy Group, and HSBC.

 Close Brothers said that Watson will be instrumental in developing and maintaining its status as “one of the leading motor finance providers in the UK” in her new role.

Watson said: “I’m incredibly excited by my new role at Close Brothers Motor Finance. Having previously been a client of the business for many years, I have watched with interest, the rapid transformational changes that have taken place, and at a speed I have never seen before in any organisation.

“This makes it an exciting prospect for me as we continue to move at pace developing new industry-leading products and services in line with the changes we are now seeing in consumer behaviours.

“I was also attracted to the organisation as one of our primary focus points is caring for colleagues and ensuring gender equality remains at the forefront of our thinking and development, something I’m incredibly passionate about.”

Seán Kemple, managing director at Close Brothers Motor Finance, said: “I am delighted to have Lisa as part of our team. Her expertise, passion and experience are second to none, and I have no doubt she’ll help us to continue to deliver a seamless service to our dealers and customers, now and in the future.”

Back in November the Finance and Leasing Association (FLA) announced the appointment of Close Brothers Motor Finance chief executive Rebecca McNeil as its new chairperson.

In October last year, the business teamed-up with Auto Trader to launch a “motor finance industry-first data tool” offering consumer demand insight to car retailers.