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Registration

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Opening remarks
Speaker
Edward Peck
CEO
Asset Finance Connect
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How can the industry better manage increasing intervention from regulators and policy-makers?
  • EU’s Mario Draghi identifies over-regulation in EU as a major contributor, resulting in reduced economic performance compared to the the US
  • The new Labour Government plans to kick-start the economy, and plans to establish an efficient, proportionate and predictable forward-looking regulatory regime, aligning with the Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) and Prudential Regulation Authority's (PRA) secondary objectives of competitiveness and growth
  • AFC research identifies high levels of concern among UK and EU lenders about progressively higher levels of intervention, compliance risk and costs as regulators seek to drive better outcomes for people (customers, employees etc) and the planet


Two part session

First: interviews with Isak Bengtzboe, chief policy adviser and legal adviser at Eurofinas; and Stephen Haddrill, director general of the FLA respectively. What is driving the increased intervention in financial services in the EU and UK; what do Isak and Stephen believe the industry, policy makers and trade associations can do to regulate better; and how can the industry manage the increasing levels of intervention which it is facing.

Second: Our panel of the auto and equipment finance industries “great and good” will discuss their observations.

Speakers
Stephen Haddrill
Director General
Finance & Leasing Association
Graham Wheeler
Non Executive Director
Hodge Bank
Isak Bengtzboe
Chief Policy Advisor
Eurofinas
Wayne Gibbard
Partner
Shoosmiths
Mike Randall
CEO
Simply
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Great customer experiences need more than excellent tech

Viewpoint: John Rees and Murad Baig from FIS, talks to Richard O’Donohue, former Dell Financial Services about how he believes lenders can deliver superb customer experiences using the right mix of in-person and automation.

  • Do lenders really need expensive in-person customer service? If so, what explains the explosive growth in lending by unsecured-lending digital-only platforms?
  • What are the key ingredients in a great customer journey and how should lenders balance in-person and automated processes?
  • How will emerging tech like generative AI change the rules of customer engagement?
Speakers
John Rees
Head, Equipment Finance Community
Asset Finance Connect
Murad Baig
Head of Asset & Auto Finance
FIS
Richard O'Donohue
Former Senior Director, WW Strategic Partnerships
Dell Technologies
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Morning break

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Stream 1 Equipment finance - EU regulates and US innovates: lessons from initiatives in US and in EU on how new UK government should drive sustainability
AFC research suggests that many EU lenders believe European regulation-focused efforts to drive sustainability are stifling growth and innovation and are making the transition to green more difficult and more expensive.

Biden’s intervention in the US by contrast has sparked a wave of innovation that has reportedly created opportunities for US equipment finance companies to drive the transition to green. These interventions have been backed by cash - $369bn commitment to clean energy initiatives for example.

AFC has invited Patricia Vorhees, head of the US ELFA Climate Finance Group to report on key elements of US action on climate; Allard Pheifer, global lead, sustainability, CHG Meridian from the EU; and Jan Dhamrait, head of technology financing, Econocom and Julie Hennehan director of corporate development at Shire Leasing from the UK to compare and contrast the differing approaches by geographical region; to consider the lessons from their businesses on the commercial opportunities for equipment finance providers; and to debate the focus for equipment finance providers seeking to serve their corporate customers as they manage their journeys to sustainability.
Speakers
John Rees
Head, Equipment Finance Community
Asset Finance Connect
Julie Henehan
Corporate Development Director
Shire Leasing
Patricia Voorhees
Advisor, CFWG Working Group Chair
The Alta Group
Jan Dhamrait
Head of Technology Financing & Management
Econocom UK & IRL
Allard Pheifer
Global Lead, Sustainability
CHG-Meridian
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Stream 2 Auto finance - Time to plot a new route to electric? How to recharge the transition to electric

First session:

Uptake of BEVs is slowing with low levels of consumer uptake and slowing transition among business users is changing the route planned by many OEMs. AFC asks whether there is a need to slow down the pace of regulatory driven change in favour of developing a more compelling proposition for car-buyers

  1. Consultation on the timetable for ban on sale of new ICE cars/ hybrids as bridge to electric
  2. Implications of the Z mandate on sale of new ICE cars
  3. The shift in OEM plans away from BEV
  4. Decision by UK not to block chinese imports


Second session:

How should firms provide reasonable evidence in their fair value assessments

In September the FCA announced that firms must provide reasonable and proportionate evidence in their fair value assessments. AFC asks Wayne Gibbard, Partner Shoosmiths what that means; provides an example of the work done by Propel Finance in conjunction with Investors in Customers to track customer satisfaction as a step beyond enforcing service level agreements; and considers what more lenders need to do ensure regulator satisfaction.

Speakers
David Betteley
Head of Content
Asset Finance Connect
Tony Whitehorn
Consultant
T Whitehorn Consultancy Ltd
Graham Wheeler
Non Executive Director
Hodge Bank
Julie Warren
Marketing and Partnerships Director
Propel Finance
Jen Bodey
Compliance and Conduct Risk Director
Propel Finance
James Edmonds
Director
consumerduty.com
Wayne Gibbard
Partner
Shoosmiths
Charlie Williams
Director
consumerduty.com
Dr Euan McTurk
Consultant Battery Electrochemist
Plug Life Consulting Ltd
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Stream 3 Asset Finance Connect Roundtables: Key imperatives for the broker-lender channel

Industry and trade associations meet to consider how the industry can encourage best practice; communicate its values to its key stakeholders; and delineate the roles of FLA and NACFB

Stephen Haddrill, director general of the FLA; Jim Higginbotham, director general in waiting of the NACFB; Norman Chambers, director general of the NACFB; Managing Director of Close Brothers Asset Finance and Leasing and head of the broker working group at the FLA work together in an important workshop for brokers and asset finance lenders to identify industry action points to tackle industry issues.

Session one will include 5 minute viewpoints from UK lenders, hybrid lenders, and brokers.

Session two is a workshop where industry participants will debate what actions industry participants can take to build a better industry that serves its customers better.

This is the first of a three step programme managed by AFC in association with the NACFB. Follow-on sessions will include a webcast in 2025 to report on the workshop findings; and a follow-up at the NACFB expo to report on progress.

Speakers
Christian Roelofs
CEO
Finativ
Stephen Haddrill
Director General
Finance & Leasing Association
Richard Cameron
Managing Director
Close Brothers Broker Solutions
Mark Nelson
Director
Compass Business Finance
Martyn Turner
Strategic Transformation Director
Arkle Finance
Rob Dermody
Director
PMD Business Finance
Norman Chambers
Managing Director
NACFB
Jim Higginbotham
CEO
NACFB
Lee Simms
Managing Director
Asset Finance Solutions (UK) Ltd
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Lunch

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30 Under 30 awards
Winners of the Leasing Foundation’s 30 under 30 receive their awards.

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Fintech Innovators Session -oven-ready use cases of AI for auto, equipment and asset finance

Forget the hype - here are three finalists in our latest innovator series that we believe deliver genuine industry solutions using AI. Have we found real-life, ready-to-go, use cases for AI that you can use today in your businesses. Tell us what you think!

Fintechs will pitch their solutions; our tech judges will ask the difficult questions and you can vote on the solution you believe is best of the four.


Dragons

  • Steve Taplin, MD Asset Finance, Lendscape 
  • Catriona Powell, head of data insight and innovation, Novuna Business Finance
  • Andrew Trimmer, head of tech, Simply

Finalists

  • Max Chmyshuk, founder, thisisjuno.ai 
  • Richard Huston, Co-Founder & MD at VAMOS  
  • Paul Chong, COO, Ophelos 
  • Matthew Elliott, CDO & Co-Founder, Nivo
Speakers
Steve Taplin
Managing Director
Lendscape
Catriona Powell
Head of Data Insight & Automation
Novuna Business Finance
Andy Trimmer
Head of Technology
Simply
Max Chmyshuk
Co-Founder & CEO
Juno
Richard Huston
Managing Director
Vamos
Paul Chong
Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer
Ophelos
Matthew Elliott
CDO & Co-Founder
Nivo

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Next Gen Session
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Afternoon break

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Progress report: Lumia lifts all lenders boats, as their fraud-detecting data lake grows

Three years on from the Arena TV fraud, Acquis Lumia combined with industry collaboration is reshaping the asset finance fraud landscape.

AFC discusses how the full industry working together could revolutionise the fight against fraud.

Speakers
Stephen Bassett
Community Head, Asset Finance
Asset Finance Connect
Malcolm Workman
Chief Operating Officer
Shire Leasing
Lee Rhodes
Commercial Director - Asset Finance
Aldermore Bank
James Rudolf
Chief Commercial Officer
Acquis
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The AFC Soapbox Project

“This house believes that the auto and equipment finance industry needs clarity on UK AI regulation in order to properly leverage its value”

Compare and contrast the differing approaches to manage risk from emerging AI.

The EU has provided a framework for considering AI risk which classifies activities as unacceptable, high, limited, and minimal risk. Each class has different regulation and requirements for developing or using AI systems. This helps businesses consider how best to deploy AI without falling foul of future law and regulation but it can be difficult to practically apply the classifications to proposed use cases; it may drive activity towards low reward, low risk use cases rather than focussing on high value use cases where risk may be reduced [is this true?]; and it creates an uneven playing field disadvantaging EU firms over non-regulated competitors from outside the region.

The US by contrast seems to be following a different path - providing innovators with the freedoms they need to innovate; and waiting to deal with problems as they emerge. There may be dangers in this for consumers who might well end up paying the price for this early freedom. Regulatory uncertainty may also prove a greater brake on innovation than bad regulation.

The UK approach, outlined in a white paper in 2023, suggests a likely path somewhere between the two, lighter touch than the EU and sector-specific regulation. Use of AI is encouraged for financial services especially in areas like fraud. The FCA is likely to have regulatory oversight. Emma Erskine-Fox (speaking for the motion) and Ben Cooper (speaking against) together part of TLT’s future law team will present the evidence. Judge Jason presiding. A majority decision from delegates will determine the outcome.

Speakers
Ben Cooper
Partner and Head of Economic Crime Compliance
TLT LLP
Emma Erskine-Fox
Managing Associate
TLT LLP
Jason Hurwitz
Sales Director, Europe
NETSOL Technologies
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Closing remarks
Speaker
Edward Peck
CEO
Asset Finance Connect
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Drinks Reception

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Registration

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Morning break

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AI and the broker channel

Using AI to enable effective communication between brokers and lenders. Includes automating efficient tailored proposals; and smart triaging of proposals to improve deteriorating look-to-book ratios


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The FIS technology forum
  • How technology can add value to funding green
  • Compare and contrast out-of-the-box with custom large-scale implementations
  • How AI is delivering flexible finance; better risk management and better customer experience
Speaker
Murad Baig
Head of Asset & Auto Finance
FIS

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Path to paperless

Exploring the transformation to a digital, paperless world and its long-term impact on your auto, equipment or asset finance business.

Join us as we dive into the key innovations driving this aspect of efficiency and sustainability:

  • Understand the benefits of a paperless future. 
  • Explore electronic invoicing and CTC for seamless financial transactions. 
  • Adopt e-contracting and prepare for what’s next.
Speaker
Emily Hammond
Director of Products
Alfa

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Unlocking New Revenue Streams with Pay-Per-Use Financing

Pay-per-use and as-a-service models are set to reshape asset finance. During this dynamic 45-minute session, we’ll explore how these flexible, data-driven financing solutions are creating new revenue opportunities for finance providers while offering greater flexibility for their clients.

Join this interactive session for finance providers to:

  • Discover the benefits pay-per-use models deliver for providers, clients, and equipment manufacturers.
  • See real examples of pay-per-use in action - from solar energy to commercial vehicles.
  • Learn how plug-and-play solutions can speed up go-to-market for these new models.
  • Find out how pay-per-use financing drives sustainability by extending asset lifecycles and enabling energy-efficient solutions.
Speakers
David Woodroffe
Business Development Director
Lendscape
Steve Taplin
Managing Director
Lendscape
Günter Hehenfelder
CEO & Founder
Findustrial

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Lunch

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Forum 1 PART 2 How to make technology pay: Strategic technology investments that drive business value and competitive advantage

A continuation of Finativ’s Technology and Innovation Forum, now being run inside the AFC Conference.

• How we deployed tech that succeeded in adding value to our businesses. Karl Gilbert, CEO of Raylo and Richard McDougall director, Cabot Square talk about leadership, organisation, technology and data projects in their businesses

• What went wrong – three industry practitioners discuss the practical requirements to drive value and provide examples that show why many finance companies can’t be successful without changing their approach

• Recipes for success - Professor Karen Elliott, chair of practice in Finance & Fintech at Birmingham Business School provides evidence-based insights to understand the characteristics of success and failure

Speakers
Christian Roelofs
CEO
Finativ
Andy Trimmer
Head of Technology
Simply
Nick Moss
Chief Commercial & Product Officer
Birmingham Bank
Professor Karen Elliott
Chair of Practice in Finance & FinTech
University of Birmingham Business School
Karl Gilbert
Co-founder and CEO
Raylo
Richard McDougall
Partner
Cabot Square Capital LLP
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Forum 2 Managing the EV residual value crisis: strategies and opportunities to navigate the next phase of the EV revolution

First in a new broad ranging forum examining how technology is driving innovation

• Digitising vehicle access and operations

• How to identify next best use for the vehicles on your balance sheet to maximise value and mitigate RV uncertainty

• Delivering best case utilisation for multi fleet/ multi user applications. An introduction to user based products.

• Two case-studies from automotive fintechs on their platform which enables battery data to assess RVs.

Speakers
Chris Kirby
CEO
Tomorrow's Journey
Conor Horne
Managing Director
Lotus Cars
Henry Pearson
Director of Capital Markets
Octopus Electric Vehicles
Oliver Phillpott
Co-Founder
Generational.ai
Mark Thomas
EVP Alliances
Ridecell
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Forum 3 How to manage a cyber-attack: From penetration testing to managing your communication strategy before, during and after an attack – this will cover all the topics you need to know

Outcomes for an asset finance organisation include

• Why you need great business continuity plans – and how to develop them

• Making sure you’re good to go – thinking ahead with an agreed approach to ransomware; PR agreed and written and cyber security agencies on retainer

• Developing enhanced security policies and procedures and deploying advanced threat detection and response capabilities

• Managing vendor and third party planning; understanding regulatory compliance and fraud

• Assessing the insurance and financial protections

Speakers
Ian Isaac
Former Managing Director of
Lombard
Gary Kinley
Chief Revenue Officer
CyberQ Group
Ed Saunders
Senior Consultant
H/Advisors Cicero
Mike Dodd
Head of Technology Development & Operations
Propel Finance
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Afternoon break

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Closing remarks
Speaker
Edward Peck
CEO
Asset Finance Connect

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