AFS launches Finance Academy to tackle broker succession crisis
Asset Finance Solutions (UK) Ltd (AFS) is launching a new training and mentoring scheme to provide a pathway for younger professionals to join the broker industry. Backed by a number of leading funders, AFS’s Finance Broker Academy aims to tackle the growing broker succession crisis by providing structured support and training programmes to nurture the next generation of finance brokers.
Designed by brokers for brokers, The Finance Broker Academy will officially welcome its first cadre members through the door in January 2021. The programme will comprise several overarching topics combined with a mixture of learning interventions to provide its members with everything they need to become fully fledged brokers.
Lee Simms, sales director at Asset Finance Solutions (UK) Ltd, comments, “With an ageing broker population we see succession as one of the biggest threats to our industry. The Finance Broker Academy has been designed to allow younger entrants in to the market by providing an all-encompassing training programme open to anybody, from individuals looking to enter the finance industry through to those already in the industry at brokerages and finance houses.”
The benefits of the Finance Academy also extend to providing existing brokers with a succession planning programme to enable them to develop future leaders and increase their opportunity to attract the next generation of emerging talent to their business. With a 365 day timescale from start to finish, the delegates will have time to experience all aspects of the ‘broker world’ through formal training interventions in the classroom, e-learning, on the job experience and secondments to funders.
Simon Welling, director of sales and marketing at Wesleyan Bank Ltd adds, “As passionate supporters of education, I am really pleased that we are involved in this new initiative for brokers. The broker community makes up a large part of our business and we welcome the opportunity to give back to it in a constructive and meaningful way”.
Simon Goldie, head of asset finance at The Finance & Leasing Association said “This is a great example of the innovative and collegiate approach within the asset finance sector, and a very useful contribution to the development of industry professionalism.”
The Finance Broker Academy has been kindly sponsored by a number of funders such as Aldermore Bank, BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions, Haydock Finance, Hitachi Business Capital, Shawbrook Bank and Wesleyan Bank.
Applicants who are interested in joining scheme are encouraged to send their details to Lee.simms@afsuk.com for further information, or alternatively contact Lee Simms on 07894019445.
