With decades of industry expertise and experience, our leadership team is responsible for creating and implementing the overall strategies that have made Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC a market leader in business and consumer finance.
Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC’s board has an oversight role, delegating day-to-day responsibility for managing the group’s business to the executive team and holding the Chief Executive Officer to account.
After 21 years with the British Army where he rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Guy has spent the last 20 years honing his skills in the finance industry, becoming CEO Zurich Financial Services in the UK and Southern Africa. Guy joined the HCUK board as Chairman in February 2017. Guy is chair of the Nomination Committee and a member of the Audit and Risk Committee and the Remuneration Committee.
With over 30 years’ experience within the finance industry, Robert was appointed as CEO for Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC in April 2015, bringing with him an established record of leadership, profit growth and progression. Since joining Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC as the Business Finance Managing Director in 2006, Group Finance Director in September 2006 and Chief Operating Officer in June 2011, Robert has steered the group’s direction with his expertise and commitment to the business. Robert is a member of the Nomination Committee and also the Corporate Officer for Hitachi Capital Corporation Japan, the parent company of Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC.
Alan has had a 35 year career at HSBC Bank plc, where he introduced the HSBC brand name in the UK & EU, and was CEO of First Direct Bank. He holds an MBA and was visiting lecturer at Warwick University Business School and Oxford University’s Saïd Business School. Alan is chair of the Remuneration Committee and a member of the Audit and Risk Committee and Nomination Committee.
In a career spanning 30 years at Ernst & Young, Anne was Head of Audit, UK Financial Services Practice for four years, and specialised in Investment Management for 17 years. She is now a board member in both the private and public sectors and works as a volunteer with four charities. Anne is chair of the Audit and Risk Committee and a member of the Remuneration Committee and Nomination Committee.
Kazu is the Vice President and Executive Officer for Hitachi Capital Corporation. Responsible for overseeing the Hitachi Capital Group European business and also CHO for Hitachi Capital Corporation. He has 31 years’ experience in the leasing industry with Hitachi Capital including Accounting, Tax, Internal Audit and Sox activities. Kazu is a member of the Remuneration Committee and Nomination Committee.
Hiro has 35 years’ experience in banking including Tokyo Trust and Banking (now called Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation) and Hitachi Capital Trust Corporation. He was the President of Hitachi Capital Trust Corporation for 7 years and spent five years in New York with the Tokyo Trust bank. Hiro is a member of the Audit and Risk Committee.
The executive team is responsible for leading the day-to-day management of the group. It agrees the vision, mission, strategy and values, in alignment with those of the shareholder, for recommendation to the board for approval.
With over 30 years’ experience within the finance industry, Robert was appointed as CEO for Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC in April 2015, bringing with him an established record of leadership, profit growth and progression. Since joining Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC as the Business Finance Managing Director in 2006, Group Finance Director in September 2006 and Chief Operating Officer in June 2011, Robert has steered the group’s direction with his expertise and commitment to the business Robert is a member of the Nomination Committee and also the Corporate Officer for Hitachi Capital Corporation Japan, the parent company of Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC.
With over 20 years’ experience in financial service, Jonathan has held senior roles at Bank of America, Lloyds Banking Group and American Express. Based in Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC’s Staines office, Jonathan joined Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC as Chief Operating Officer (COO) in September 2018. Jonathan has direct responsibility for Information Technology, Human Resources and Group Change, as well as an agreed shared accountability for BU Operations, BU QA and Complaints/customer service/collections, Procurement and BCP.
Andrew joined Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC in July 2016 as Group Finance Director. He arrived from Barclays where he worked since 2008. Andrew held many senior finance roles at Group, Division and Business Unit level covering planning, strategy and restructuring to his most recent role as UK Finance Director for Barclays Corporate Banking, a unit generating £1.5bn annual profit. Previous to Barclays, Andrew worked at KPMG in both Audit and Restructuring where he qualified as a Chartered Accountant and is a member of ICAEW.
Andrew has spent well over 30 years in the European financial services industry. After graduating from the University of Bath with a degree in European Studies, Andrew initially worked for a UK-based international food group, but moved into commercial banking in 1981 when he joined Chemical Bank’s corporate leasing business. He also worked in credit risk management roles for Security Pacific and Bank of America before joining GE Capital in 1993. He was involved in many of GE’s European leasing acquisitions in the 1990s, and was appointed Chief Risk Officer of GE Corporate Financial Services’ European lending business in 2001. From 2004 to 2011 he served as European Credit & Risk Director of KeyBank’s European equipment financing business.
Nat joined the Company as its first in-house lawyer in 2000 and has led the Group Legal function ever since. He was appointed Company Secretary in 2001. Soon after qualifying as a solicitor at a commercial law firm in London, Nat moved in-house and gained 6 years' financial services experience with Volkswagen Financial Services before joining Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC. In 2007, Nat steered the Company through its takeover by Hitachi Capital Corporation and delisting from the London Stock Exchange. He qualified as a Chartered Secretary in 2011 and was elected as a Fellow of ICSA: The Governance Institute in 2012. Nat represents Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC on the Legal Committee of the Finance & Leasing association, which he has chaired since 2008.
With over 25 years’ experience in compliance, risk, finance and general management, John has a strong background in the financial services industry, holding senior positions at Clydesdale Bank, Virgin Money and RBS. Before joining Hitachi Capital UK, John’s most recent role was at online investment service, Interactive Investor where he oversaw all aspects of risk, compliance and financial crime.
Lorna joined Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC as Head of IT in November 2016 and subsequently the Group IT Director for Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC. Lorna has over 20 years’ IT experience across a wide range of business sectors including legal, telecommunications, energy, healthcare and heavy industry as well as experience in large scale local government. Lorna comes from a technical background and brings strong operational IT experience as well as structured programme and project management disciplines. Lorna has worked for a number of multi-national companies and has delivered a number of transformation initiatives to better align IT to the business.
Vincent has 18 years of experience in financial technology, retail banking and e-commerce. He has held leadership roles at household names such as Bank of America, M&S Money and HSBC, and as General Manager of UK Credit for PayPal. His most recent appointment was as Commercial Director of Financial Services for Shopdirect group, one of the largest e-tailers in the UK, with over 3 million customers.
As Managing Director of Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions, Jon has made an impressive and impactful contribution to the division’s successful growth. In his previous role as Managing Director of the commercial vehicle division, Jon grew the business from 700 to 30,000 vehicles between 2001 and 2015. He led key acquisitions, including Newtown Vehicle Rentals (NVR), as well as acquiring 9,000 vehicles from Lombard Vehicle Management. He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, and Chairman of the BVRLA’s commercial vehicle committee.
Gavin has been a powerful influence within the Business Finance sector for more than 30 years, since obtaining his fellowship from the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants and beginning his career at Lombard UK. Gavin was a part of the early team that formed First National Asset Finance in 2001, a business that went on to become the backbone of the £3billion UK ING Lease UK. He came to Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC in February 2013 and quickly became a key member of the senior management team – doubling the Business Finance portfolio in his first 12 months. Appointed as General Manager in September 2014, Gavin continues to raise the Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC brand significantly within the Business Finance sector.
Andy joined Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC in August 2016 as Managing Director for the Invoice Finance division, bringing with him over 25 years of financial services experience. He began his career at Barclays Bank before moving to roles at Euro Sales Finance and RBS. He was part of the management team which started Liquidity Ltd in 2004, an independent sales finance business based in the Midlands, as Operations Director his responsibilities included the implementation of new systems and processes as well as looking after the relationship management and credit functions. When Liquidity was purchased by Santander in 2009, Andy continued to drive innovation throughout the business as Head of Product Delivery, implementing a number of cross functional systems and controls as well as integration into the main banking operation. Andy is an active member within the ABFA (the Asset Based Finance Association) and previously sat on the Executive Committee.
Dilek was appointed director in 2012. She has worked in a variety of roles with Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC since 2003 and has over 25 years’ experience working in financial institutions across EMEA. Currently, she heads up the team responsible for developing the Hitachi Group captive business across Europe. Dilek has an MBA and BSc in Business Administration.