Martin Cooper has been appointed as the new chairman of the UK’s Asset Based Finance Association (ABFA).
Cooper (pictured above) is senior vice-president of operations at Firstsource, a leading business process management provider to organizations in the financial services, banking, insurance, healthcare, and telecommunications and media sectors. The firm serves over 100 global clients from 46 centres across the globe, including in the UK. Firstsource is working closely with a leading asset based lending provider in a UK bank.
He succeeds Peter Ewen, managing director of ABN AMRO Commercial Finance, as chairman of the ABFA.
Well-known in the industry, prior to joining Firstsource, Cooper spent more than 25 years at Lloyds Bank Commercial Finance, most latterly as finance director. He played a major role on the group’s Board of Commercial Finance, with responsibility for developing finance solutions for major corporates across Europe and the US, and expanding the business beyond its SME core.
Commenting on his appointment, Martin Cooper said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be appointed as chairman of the ABFA. The association has always played a vital role in the development of our industry; 2016 will be a significant year for the association and for the industry as a whole and I am looking forward to contributing to its continued development and evolution.”
The ABFA also appointed Tracy Ewen (pictured below), who has been appointed vice-chair.
Ewen is managing director of IGF Invoice Finance, a leading independent commercial finance provider specialising in the SME market. She previously held senior roles at International Factors, GMAC and Bibby Factors.
