As the global asset and automotive finance sectors resume their solid growth patterns in the post-recessionary environment there is growing evidence that lack of experience is presenting challenges to new entrants and those seeking to expand into new areas.
As a consequence, John Lindsay, formerly head of asset management at Investec Asset Finance, has formed JLSR Ltd to provide an international advisory, consultancy and management service to the asset finance, leasing, automotive and transport sectors.
Lindsay brings an almost uniquely broad-based career – covering some 20 years - in the asset finance, leasing and automotive industries.
He spent his early career in the private motor retail sector and in the asset finance and leasing industries with GE Capital, Lloyds UDT & CitiCapital. Latterly he spent 10 years with Investec Asset Finance - heading up its asset management team for the last seven years.
Such a strong multi-asset category experience in the asset finance & leasing sectors is highly unusual – including, as they do, his specialisms in the automotive and transport sectors. These come with a flair for dealing with niche, bespoke and high-end equipment where information is not readily available.
Lindsay told Asset Finance International: “Throughout my career I have previously taken key roles in new business and portfolio acquisitions, business and portfolio disposals, business development strategy, key IT projects, new business start-ups,
“Also in outsourcing and vendor management programmes in addition to assuming full P&L responsibility for multi-million pound asset portfolios involving substantial residual value risk and multiple stakeholders.”
Mentoring the young
He is also keen to “put something back into society”. As part of JLSR's community programme, Lindsay is offering guidance to students who are considering which career path to take, particularly where they may not have the desire or opportunity to go on to study at university.
As someone who established a successful career without attending a university he aims to inform young people about the possibilities open to them by taking an alternative career path.
“I strongly believe,” he said, “that if they choose not to go to university, young people should not feel as though their opportunities are limited and that they can still have fulfilling, rewarding and successful careers.
“The power of this programme is that it creates a one-of-a-kind opportunity for collaboration, goal achievement and problem solving. Real learning very rarely happens in a sterile and safe environment.
“My approach is to provide a challenging and thought provoking environment for the students by focusing management and people skills gained from a career spent working in a variety of challenging business environments so that the students are motivated and can make informed decisions about their future career path or personal development.”
He stressed: “Enabling and inspiring is part of the new company’s culture and values. Ensuring young people are well informed about their options is crucial if we are to find the talent of tomorrow.”
“The strategic goals and objectives of the new company,” he added, “are based on the aspiration to build a recognised and distinctive advisory, consultancy and management business in the target markets.”
John Lindsay is a member of the Chartered Management Institute and a Fellow of the Institute of the Motor Industry with a Professional Diploma in Management [DipMgt].
