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Our Leadership Team

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.

Executive Team

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.

Robert Gordon

Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC Chief Executive Officer

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 commenced his career with Touche Ross in Australia and the United Kingdom in Audit and Management Consulting. He later gained banking and Treasury experience with Greyhound Bank PLC and eventually lead Finova’s European and African aircraft and asset leasing operation for over 10 years. Robert is also Senior Corporate Officer for Hitachi Capital Corporation Japan, the parent company of Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC. He is an Economics graduate from Adelaide University and a qualified Chartered Accountant.

Gavin Wraith-Carter

Managing Director, Hitachi Capital Business Finance

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.

Vincent Reboul

Managing Director, Hitachi Capital Consumer Finance

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.

Dilek Mackenzie

Managing Director, Hitachi Capital European Vendor Solutions

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.

Andy Dodd

Managing Director, Hitachi Capital Invoice Finance

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.

Jon Lawes

Managing Director, Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions

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.

Andrew Ring

Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC Group Director of Finance

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 Slatford

Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC Group Credit Risk Director

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.

John Shiels

Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC Chief Risk Officer

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.

 

 

Nat Sims

Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC Legal Director and Company Secretary

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.

Andy Murdoch

Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC Group Director of Operations

Andy has over 25 years’ experience in finance and general management, primarily in the financial services industry. He was appointed director in 2019 and has worked in a variety of roles with Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC since 2006, most recently as Head of Change Management. He previously held senior positions with Centrica and GE Capital. Andy is a qualified Chartered Accountant with direct responsibility for Group Change, Business Continuity and Information Security across the business.

Kiru Raguraman

Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC Group Director of Customer and Employee Engagement

Kiru joined Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC in 2013 and held several senior roles before being appointed director in 2019. Prior to joining Hitachi Capital, Kiru’s earlier career included posts based in India and Australia before she joined Centrica where she was responsible for financial planning and reporting. At Group level Kiru has direct responsibility for both Customer and Employee Engagement, Quality Assurance and Group Facilities. Kiru also leads the Inclusion and Diversity programme across the business. She has an MBA and is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).

Neil Hayward

Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC Group HR Director

Neil joined the Company in 2000 as Personnel Manager for Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions. Having carried out a number of Head of HR roles over the years across the business, Neil became Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC HR Director in April 2019 after seven months as interim. Neil worked in both the public and private sector in HR positions prior to joining the business. As the company has grown, Neil has led many of the HR change programmes and been involved in acquisitions in both the UK and Europe. Neil is a graduate and Associate of Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

Kim Brien

Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC Chief Information Officer

Kim has over 20 years’ experience in Information Technology and is responsible for Group IT and digital operational development across the business. Before joining Hitachi Capital UK in January 2020, Kim’s most recent role was Vice President & Executive Partner at global research and advisory company Gartner, having previously held senior positions at HML, MDA Limited and Armature Limited. Kim has an MSC in IT & Management alongside a Law Degree.

Board of Directors

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.

Guy Munnoch

Chairman of the Board

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.

Robert Gordon

Chief Executive Officer

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 Hughes

Deputy-Chairman and Senior Independent Director

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.

Anne Whitaker

Chair of the Audit Committee and Independent Non-Executive Director

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.

Yoshikazu (Kazu) Ohashi

Non-Executive Director, representative of Shareholder

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.

Hiroyuki (Hiro) Fukuro

Non-Executive Director, representative of Shareholder

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.

More information

Our financial performance

Gender pay gap report 2019

Our approach to corporate governance

Corporate social responsibility

Annual report 2018

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