Yorkshire compliance specialist PPL appoints COO as it expands client offering
Leeds-based Product Partnerships Limited (PPL) has appointed Ian Beardmore as chief operating officer as the business continues to strengthen its leadership team and broaden the specialist support available to clients operating in regulated markets.
The appointment comes amid growing demand from organisations operating in retail, motor, lending and consumer finance, with PPL supporting clients including Aston Martin, Bensons for Beds, Google and Scottish Power.
Beardmore is a well-known industry figure with significant leadership and FCA compliance experience. He’s COO of the Association of Professional Compliance Consultants (APCC) and also served as a non-executive director at Think Compliance, in which PPL acquired a majority stake last year.
PPL has also continued to invest in specialist expertise, appointing Gleb Butylov as senior credit risk and compliance officer. Butylov brings experience across retail mortgage lending, credit risk and data analytics, having previously worked with Yorkshire Building Society, Together and Evolution Money.
Alongside this, PPL has entered a strategic partnership with The Data Protection People (DPP), giving clients access to expertise across data protection, privacy and governance. In turn, PPL can support DPP clients where customer journeys involve FCA-regulated activity, consumer finance, credit, financial promotions or wider regulatory obligations.
The partnership reflects PPL’s aim to provide more joined-up support across areas of compliance that increasingly overlap in day-to-day operations.
PPL has continued to invest in the business since securing a £10m investment from Arete Capital Partners, TDC and Seneca Partners in 2025. Since then, it has acquired a majority stake in Think Compliance and appointed former JD Sports boss Peter Cowgill as non-executive director and board adviser.
Phillip Garlick, CEO of PPL, said: “The way our clients operate is becoming more complex and the different areas of compliance they deal with increasingly overlap. As experts in retail finance solutions, our focus is on building the leadership, capabilities and partnerships that allow us to give clients practical, joined-up support.
“Ian brings significant experience and credibility to the leadership team, while Gleb adds further specialist depth in credit risk and lending. Our partnership with The Data Protection People broadens that proposition again and gives clients access to expertise across data protection, privacy and governance.”
Ian Beardmore added: “PPL has built a strong reputation by combining technical expertise with a real understanding of how regulated businesses operate. There is already significant depth across the team and I’m looking forward to helping build on that as we continue to develop the business and support a growing number of clients.”