Together inTandem November 2022
People Magazine
Shhh... the secret′s out this month
PAGE 7
Financial Healthcheck
PAGE 27
Tandem Trekkers
PAGE 11
Contents New starters................................... 03 Internal promotions....................... 04 Motor Finance update................... 05 Financial healthcheck.................... 06 BBC Children In Need.................... 08 In the press..................................... 12 Compliance team update.............. 14 Integration Q3 update................... 16 Finance system update..................18 ESG impact.................................... 20 ESG monthly stats.......................... 21 Bulb planting day........................... 22 4Louis. ........................................... 24 Tandem trekkers............................ 26 Christmas Parties........................... 28 Announcements............................ 30 Black History Month....................... 32 Values............................................. 34 Shines............................................. 35
New Starters
Welcome! Michael Bates UX/UI Designer
Doug Semple Developer
Aisha Dobbin Catto Senior Operational Risk Analyst
Dan Gomez Credit and Pricing Insight Analyst
Richard Moore Dealer Funding Manager Betty Firth Customer Relationship Manager
Mel Horne Marketing Assistant
Matt Champion Software Developer
Chloe Taylor Underwriter
James Cooke Service Delivery Analyst
Carly Caswell Administrator
Jordan Lloyd Administrator
Ciaran Dempsey Customer Relationship Manager
Alex Naylor Prudential Risk Manager Darren Mekwinski Broker Support Executive Charl Sullivan Customer and Conduct Risk Monitoring Manager
cies!
As Tan dem grow w continues t o e have excitin g oppo a lot of rtu please have a nities, yourse look f lf or to refer a or friend!
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Emily Roe Junior Developer
Jessica David Underwriter
Mat Graham Collections Administrator
Vacan
Christian Winters Financial Crime Analyst
Alex Farrow Regulatory Reporting Manager Jessica Grattan Administrator Gavin Fowler Internal Sales Manager Mark Lewis Account Manager Neil Worswick Account Manager
Anthony Dunn Customer Relationship Manager Jane Shears Compliance Business Partner Kyle Clark Collections Support Officer Nikki Harding Dealer Onboarding Agent Mel Lockhart Customer Support Specialist Stephen Longrigg Account Manager Louis Smith Customer Operations Specialist
Internal Promotions Congratulations to the following internal promotions! Sarah Chieffo - Training & Competency Assistant Sarah Chieffo is now a Training & Competency Assistant, supporting our Personal Loans Servicing department.
Dean Perkins - Training & Competency Assistant Dean Perkins is now a Training & Competency Assistant supporting our Motor Finance Servicing and Savings department.
Ffion James - Training & Competency Assistant Ffion James is now a Training & Competency Assistant supporting our Home Improvements Loans Servicing department.
We'd like to wish everyone who had a birthday in October a very
Happy Birthday! Atika Khan Michelle Bartlam Nathan Kenny Sam Saxton Stephanie Bunney Sarah Broeckl Carla Guttridge Ellen Hastings-Jones Deborah Fitzgerald Danielle Holmes Rory Baker Sharon Critchley Jac Connah Kelsey Easter Shaye Gould Alexander Houston Fiona OBrien Karol Walton Lisa Hudson Carla McShane
Anita Haley Salma Ahmed Shamsun Nahar Gary Addison Liam Evans Mollie Wylie Sara Evans Deborah Dullenty Philip Snape Gemma Walton Paul Stewart Thomas Pearson Nigel Brookes Nikki Harding Jennifer Hunt Roger Neighbours Darren Kennedy Hannah Bryce Leah Leeming Amber Fordham
Sasha Ehlke-West George Moss Joanne Coey Kwame Pamboe Lewis Butterworth Michael Ellis Shavaun Morrissey Thomas Ellmers Paris Roberts Peter Cunningham Steve Peacock Sujatha Chandrabose Aishah Rashid Nicola Kendall Scott Larvan Suzanne Carr Julie Taylor Melanie Wilson
Motor Finance 1st Signed Deal As the new Motor Finance Team in Cardiff gears itself up for a rapid team expansion and successful performance in 2023, this month the team celebrated our first direct deal with a dealer. Well done and thank you to Chris Butt, Senior Account Manager, Sharon Critchley, Lending Manager and all the team in Motor Finance Lending. Below, Chris Butt (right) presents a bottle of champagne to Michael at MG Motor Group.
Financial Healthcheck: Smart budgeting for first-time savers
No matter where you are on your life journey, we all need a little advice with our own personal finances. Each month, we'll bring you tips on how to stay on top of your finances and plan for a better future – whether that’s exploring savings, first-time mortgages or renewable mortgages, and even reducing energy bills etc. What is a budget? Budgets are useful tools to keep a track of your finances, so that you know how much money you have left after you have paid for any financial commitments. You may not always have a physical budget, however it's something that you can embrace so that you make sure you're living within your means.
Budget for essentials first!
Andrew Hurst Educational Facilitator
Most of the time, your fixed expenses are also your most important ones: a roof over your head, being able to buy food and pay for utilities and transport costs. So, it makes sense that when you’re dividing up your income for the month, you make sure your bills take priority over 'nice to haves'.
Track your variable costs - the non-essentials If you’re not keeping tabs on how much you spend, you could be setting yourself up for budgeting failure. Keeping track of your spending on non-essential items like a McDonalds lunch or a brand-new pair of trainers, can help you see how certain expenses in your budget trend over time, making it easier to decide how much money should be allotted for them.
What is a baseline budget? This is the bare minimum you’d need to spend each month to get by. Keeping that amount in mind can help you decide how much of your budget you can afford to dedicate to non-essential items.
5 smart budgeting tips for first-time savers ∙
Don't ask how to budget money-ask why you want to budget.
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Distinguish between short-term saving goals and long-term saving goals.
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Track your spending to create a solid budget.
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Separate fixed expenses from variable expenses.
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Plan a monthly budget.
Further information is available on the below Apps; ∙
Emma – great features to help you budget and track your spending.
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Money Dashboard – comprehensive budgeter that is easy to customise.
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Snoop – great for anybody that wants something simple.
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Quirk – an App that is tailored to your financial preferences.
Ask the expert For more tips, watch out for upcoming Lunch and Learn videos with Andrew or if you have a burning question that simply can’t wait until then, why not email him:
FinancialEd@myoplo.co.uk
BBC Children in Need
Friday 18 th Novembe r
BBC Children in Need 2022 campaign is tackling the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on children and the grassroots organisations which support them. The last couple of years have been incredibly hard for children and young people. Living through Covid-19 has caused feelings of anxiety, fear and hopelessness in too many children; and the cost-of-living crisis is now trapping even more families in poverty. Official figures suggest almost four million children in the UK are living in poverty and risk missing out on basic essentials, such as food, clothing and a warm place to live. Children in Need’s Positive Relationships campaign highlights the direct effects of poverty on children’s health and mental wellbeing, on top of the challenges of catching up on educational and social activities curtailed during the pandemic.
How can you get involved this year? On Friday 18th, across our offices, we'll be hosting a few different activities to raise funds! Pyjama day Lay aside your usual work attire and replace it with your pyjamas.
Try your luck with a guessing jar We’ll be filling a jar at each of the sites for you to guess the total quantity of the jar’s contents. The person with the closest answer wins a prize.
Keepy-uppy-a-thon With the World Cup just around the corner, get yourself in full football mode by practicing your keepy-uppys! Whether you’re already a pro, or a complete novice.
Hula-a-thon Most people can manage one or two circles before the hoop crashes to their ankles!
Shhh...
the secret’s out! Tandem's Marketing Team and our Home Improvement Loans Team have been working on ... We jumped at the opportunity to support the BBC's DIY SOS: The Big Build programme, in their challenge to construct a purpose-built timber frame headquarters for Leeds-based charity, Getaway Girls. In conjunction with our partner Project Solar, Tandem funded the supply and installation of the solar panels, enabling the charity to not only help look after the planet, but it will also help them save money on their energy bills. Tune in on 16th November to watch the full episode on BBC 1 – or stream it on BBC iPlayer.
Wednesd ay 16t Novembe h r
Watch the short video here to find out more about the Getaway Girls and the support we've provided.
In the press this month Here's a look at some of the press coverage Tandem has had in October.
financialreporter.co.uk
bestadvice.co.uk
alwaysfinance.co.uk mortgagestrategy.co.uk
mortgagesolutions.co.uk ffnews.com
walesonline.co.uk
business-live.co.uk
mpamag.com/uk
Compliance Team Update The Compliance team announced this month that they have restructured to provide a better and deeper focus to both technical regulatory compliance including areas, such as data protection, and consumer and conduct risk. A key design principle is to have representation in each of the main operational hubs and have dedicated advice and monitoring staff.
Joe Hall Joe Hall heads up the Customer and conduct risk team who will focus on providing oversight and support to the business in being able to continue to meet the expectations of the FCA around consumers. Consumer Duty will dominate much of the focus and ensuring the evidence is available to demonstrate compliance with the four outcomes. This team will also provide oversight of Tandem's third party distributors e.g. brokers, retailers, and introducers. Joe is supported by Geraint Ward, Charlotte Sullivan and Emmanuelle Dulor.
Lisa Holder Lisa Holder heads up the Regulatory Compliance team who will continue to support the business with regulatory advice and undertake compliance monitoring activities. Lisa is supported by Danielle and Jane and will soon be welcoming Katy and Henry to the team.
Marcella Ajuzie Marcella continues to strengthen and improve the Bank's anti money laundering activities through 2nd line oversight, providing financial crime advice and support, as well as driving forward the alignment of all financial crime policies and controls within the business.
This chart provides more detail on the day-to-day responsibilities.
Integration Q3 Update The last 3 months has been an exciting period for the business with delivery of key Integration initiatives as we continue to transition to One Bank. We look back at the Integration achievements in Q3 below.
The Fundamentals Risk and Portfolio reporting was completed in July following the approval of the Risk Appetite in Q2. Reporting on all risk metrics and principle risk types were submitted in the CRO’s July report providing the business with oversight on all risks the business is exposed to. In the last quarter we have also seen good progress being made on group-wide policy alignment with the aim to align entities from an overarching policy perspective, and to reduce the overall number of policies the group maintains.
Brilliant Basics The Aligned Vendor Approach deliverable was successfully completed In July and consolidated our 3rd party suppliers to streamline the business model and drive efficiency savings. In depth reviews of all 3rd party spend was carried out to identify opportunity to reduce costs where possible. We saw a £700k in year cost reduction and identified a total contract save of £1.5m.
In August, the Target State Collections Strategy was defined and documented that will allow the Operations Team to scale efficiently and effectively. In preparation for the rising cost of living, importance is placed on ensuring our collections strategies are tailored to individual customers’ needs; the current economic climate is expected to require a multitude of interventions depending on customers' circumstances vs a one size fits all approach. The collections strategies have been developed to segment customers into 3 areas: � Payment Reminders � Pre-Arrears � Arrears The Pre-Arrears strategy has been rolled out for Personal Loans with the other product lines to follow. The optimisation process provides more choice and channels for customers and will ensure customers receive good outcomes which is in line with Consumer Duty requirements.
Tandem Rebrand Tandem Bespoke Mortgages was successfully rebranded in August and Tandem Savings followed in September.
Colleague & Culture The TUPE process was completed on 1st September with all colleague contracts transferred to TML following a period of employee consultations. The HR platform, Bamboo, was aligned across the combined organisation and the first group-wide consolidated payroll was delivered on 23rd September.
Legal Entity Rationalisation Good progress has been made on rationalisation of the group entity structure with Oplo Reserve, Oplo Funding No.1 and No.2 liquidated in September. The liquidation prior to 30th September helped the business reduce overheads as there is no requirement to submit year end reports for these entities. Liquidation of the remaining entity, Pariti, will conclude in the coming weeks which will mark the close of the Legal Entity Rationalisation project.
Priorities for Q4 The focus for Q4 2022 and Q1 2023 is to continue aligning and delivering key people initiatives across the business and completion of all inflight rebrand initiatives. As always, if you have any queries, questions, suggestions or feedback please do send these to integrationteam@tandem.co.uk
Finance System Update Since the Tandem and Oplo acquisition earlier this year, the Finance team has been working with two existing finance systems which needed consolidating into one system. This project would be a key deliverable in the integration of a bank-wide finance function. What did we do?
In July, the team finalised a detailed review of both systems and concluded that Access Dimensions was the most appropriate software to meet the bank’s current and future needs. This generated an ambitious timeline for the team to consolidate all accounts payable and general ledger activity onto Access. With a cut-over deadline of 1st September, the first management accounts were to be produced within Access in early October. What does this mean? The Finance Team successfully switched all transaction processing to Access on 1st September and, thanks to a heroic effort from all, the bank’s agreed financial reporting deadlines were met in October. The team are now well placed to begin preparations with PWC for the 2022 annual audit process from one source system. Also, it enabled improving financial controls to be introduced, such as an automated approval workflow for invoice processing. “The team have performed really well under high pressure. We’ve had to meet very tight deadlines to deliver this project in a smooth and timely manner, and everybody has played their part, working collaboratively to achieve a successful outcome. They all deserve recognition for their efforts – well done and thanks for all the hard work. A special congratulations and thank you to all our Finance Team!”
Ryan Heaps
Head of Finance
This chart provides more detail on the day-to-day responsibilities.
Ready to make an Impact? Everything you need to know about our ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) initiatives
ESG Monthly Stats Tree Planting
We planted 30,000 trees in March 2022 in our very own Tandem Wood, ahead of our 3−year agreement with Leighton Hall Estate. Since 2021 we have purchased / planted 41,009 trees across Trees for Life and Leighton Hall Estate. Want to plant a tree in our grove? Here’s our very own Tandem grove Tandem - Trees for Life
11 of our people have a monthly Direct Debit to Trees for Life and an extra 15 people made a one off donation totalling 26 trees purchased for September.
Pawprint
225 people signed up with average score of 12.6 tonnes co2.
EV Scheme
10 electric cars on the roads saving 47,761.84 co2 emissions per annum.
Bike2Work Scheme
4 people signed up.
The Green Deal
52 members, 44 eligible rewards for redeeming.
Million Minutes
9,270 minutes.
GiveAll
10 people total monthly donation £147.
Bulb Planting Day We had an amazing day with our pollinator experts – understanding the role and impact the pollinators have on the environment and communities. Nine volunteers from our Blackpool office signed up for our bulb planting day, helping to plant 10,000 bulbs in the woodland at Leighton Hall, Carnforth. These daffodils and snowdrops will grow and help to feed our woodland pollinators – the bees and the butterflies. Thanks to all our Volunteers: � � � � � � � �
Andrew Hurst Naley Alobari Sasha Ehlke-West Lauren Morley Melissa Horne Chris Whittaker Holly Wadeson Our resident handyman Barry Lloyd and his friend Jane!
Plus, by spending time in the outdoors, it also supports our mental health, as well as giving back to our community. Get involved If you'd like to get involved in our volunteering days, simply email esg@myoplo.co.uk
Tandem team smash fundraising target! Our Durham team (and an honorary one Ajay pictured with the 4Louis Lion) took part in the Great North Run on 11th September. The group completed a gruelling 13.1 miles and raising a colossal
£6,512
for 4Louis!
4Louis provide useful tools, equipment and training free of charge to hospital units, hospices and other professionals who sadly have the job of comforting grieving families who suffer a miscarriage, Stillbirth, Neonatal or child death.
What an amazing achievement! � Ajay Mitha � Gavin Langley � Amber Langley
� Dawn Pallin � Tamsin Kentfield � Vanessa Stell
� Chloe Smail � Victoria Stell
Get involved – volunteer with 4Louis: Thursday 10th November - 4Louis Headquarters, Sunderland. Or Tuesday 22nd November – Tandem Office, Blackpool. (4Louis are coming to Blackpool and will be bringing all items to make up their beautiful memory boxes).
What an amazing achievement!
Please email esg@myoplo.co.uk for further details
Tandem Trekkers Yorkshire Three Peaks – Saturday 24th September A fun day had by all... What started with the minibus not arriving at the agreed time of 4:30am, the team waited for over 30 minutes outside the Blackpool office for the taxi. Once they then realised the taxi wasn't coming for them, the team had a mad dash over the A59 to North Yorkshire - arriving just in time for the 6.30am check-in! The day was filled with laughter, the occasional swear word, swollen hands, many blisters and a guided rescue at the 19th mile for one of them (with a damaged knee), but we're told they'll do it all again in a heartbeat - just give them a few months to recover! More importantly the Tandem Trekkers raised for the Christie!
£1,347
The Christie charity supports the development of cancer prevention, treatment, research and education through investment in staff, equipment, facilities and other support services that are over and above what the NHS funds. You can read all about them in their latest impact report The Christie Charity Impact Report
Congratulations
to all our Tandem Trekkers:
� Chris Mitchell � Carnan Dawson
� Julie Allen � Helen Travis
� Amy Shuttleworth � Holly Wadeson
Save the dates...
Christmas Parties!
Tandem’s Jolly Christmas elves are back and this year they're helping to make Tandem sparkle and glitter more than ever! So, wherever you're based we have a party for you. Save the date and we look forward to seeing you there!
North West Christmas Party – Friday 9th December - 6pm til late Beach House, Blackpool.
Cardiff Christmas Party Saturday 3rd December The Coal Exchange hotel, Cardiff. North East Christmas Party – Friday 9th December Newcastle Racecourse, Gosforth Park. London Christmas Party – Thursday 8th December Harrild and Sons, Farringdon. Further details to follow!
Thursday 8th Decembe r
Christmas Jumper Day! Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day is back on Thursday 8 December – and, this year, it’s TWICE as good as ever before! Here’s why. The UK government has totally promised to double your donation. Every time you give £2 to Save the Children, they give £2 too. How good is that?! It means Save the Children can give mums-to-be, new mums, tiny babies and bigger kids the food and medicine they need to be strong and healthy. We’re talking 200,000 people you’ll be helping – just by wearing a super Christmassy sweater.
BUT let’s think Green! ∙
Order one of our eco-return bags and fill it with your old Christmas jumpers before the big day. Then STC will sell them in one of their charity shops so they’re reused by someone else and the money raised from the jumpers will go to help kids all over the world.
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Turn down the heating at your workplace on 8th December. You won’t get cold cos you’ll be wearing your Christmas jumper!
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Buy one of our vintage jumpers, re-using someone else’s jumper rather than buying a brand new one.
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Don’t buy a new jumper that you’ll only wear once! We're one of ASOS Marketplace’s official charity boutique partners, selling a selection of vintage Christmas jumpers ahead of the big day.
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Hold a jumperswap at work before the day and donate to switch your sweater for a new one.
s t n e m e c n Annou 5 year anniversary -
Rhian Jackson
Senior Team Leader - Completions in 2nd Charge Lending Mortgages What's kept you at Tandem for all these years? 100% the people. The support I received from my managers from when I first started was different to any other place I have worked. They pushed me to explore opportunities I had never even thought of, and I have them to thank for where I am currently. Which part of your role do you enjoy the most? I enjoy how each day in my role is different, the hours in the day go so fast as there is always something to be doing along with our team are a social outgoing bunch who are always making me laugh. What advice would you give to new starters? Dedication to your role is key to success. Hard work pays off and it doesn’t go un-noticed.
5 year anniversary -
Melis Karaca
Head of Fraud and Financial Crime in Financial Crime Operations What's kept you at Tandem for all these years? Definitely the people. Everyone is very supportive and trying to do the right thing. Also, I have an excellent team and it’s always a pleasure to work with them! Which part of your role do you enjoy the most? There is always a learning opportunity and because of the changes, it’s never boring. What advice would you give to new starters? I would tell them not to hesitate to share their ideas and views and ask for help.
Congratulations!
Karen Wells Head of Lending for Motor Finance
Congratulations to Karen Wells who recently competed in the Cardiff Half Marathon.
Congratulations!
Emmanuelle Dulor Report Developer
Congratulations to Emmanuelle Dulor who married her partner on 24th September. Now Emmanuelle Simpson.
Well done!
Ben Standish Well done to Ben Standish who recently completed 10 y Fan (ten times up and down the highest mountain in South Wales), raising money for Holibobs Childrens Cancer Charity.
g n i t a r b e Cel What is Black History Month? Throughout October we celebrated Black History Month in the United Kingdom, which promotes and celebrates contributions of Black people to British society. Black History Month UK was initiated in 1987 by Ghanaian-born Akyaaba Addai-Sebo, a special projects officer at the Greater London Council, and later at the London Strategic Policy Unit. The first Black History Month UK took place after Addai-Sebo decided to tackle the identity crisis Black children faced in the UK. Initially, there was a large focus on Black American History, however overtime, the spotlight has shifted to focus more on Black British history.
Black History Month’s origins date back to the early 20th century when Carter G Woodson was concerned for the world’s silence on Black achievement. Woodson was born in 1875 to parents who were former slaves. He struggled to obtain an education but later went on to get his PhD at Harvard University and refused to turn a blind eye on Black excellence. In February 1926, Woodson began observing ‘African American History Week’. Woodson and his Colleagues created a programme of events and lesson plans to improve race relations.
Even after Woodson’s death in 1950, the event continued to gain momentum. It was in 1976 the week-long event was extended to a month and turned into what we now know as Black History Month in America. The Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) created the BHM flag in 1920. The official colours are black, red, yellow, and green, also known as the Pan African colours. Each of the colours has its own symbolism: Black
represents the melanated skin colour of Black people.
Yellow
represents optimism, justice, and equality.
Green
represents Africa’s greenery and other natural resources.
Red
represents the bloodshed people of colour underwent during the battle against slavery, racism, and colonialism.
Time for Change: Actions not Words The purpose of this year’s theme is not just to educate people on Black History but inform and empower people to be true allies in the anti-racism movement. Want to learn more? Why not join our DE&I workgroup… for more details email morgan.lyons@tandem.co.uk
Values
Brave
We encourage you to push the boundaries, challenge and share your opinion.
Enterprising We’re entrepreneurial, creative and authentic. Always looking to add value through our actions.
Simple We make things easy by being straightforward, practical and arming you with the tools you need to succeed.
Together We believe in one shared vision and that we’re all vital cogs in the wheel. When we rise together, everyone succeeds.
Shines “Sasha Elke-West Sasha passed her CeMap course and exams with flying colours last week!! The whole 1st mortgage team is extremely proud of her and everything she does.” - Bethany Cavanagh First Charge Mortgage Administrator
“Jonnie Saxelby - Jonnie is consistently top of the leaderboard for his level of calls with customers, and consistently has one of the highest talk times whilst keeping a high quality of work. He is a positive member of the team, nothing is too much trouble for him no matter how big the work load he always has a smile on his face! Thank you for all your hard work.” - Jenna Wilkinson Collections Team Leader
“The Bespoke Mortgage Team would like to Shine on Dapinder Williams, who won our ‘Chufty Badge Award’ for September. Dapinder was nominated for the following reasons; � Her expertise with the systems and for being so patient in showing others how to do things, while getting involved in so many other tasks. � Problem Solving - Dapinder has worked extremely hard with the recs team balancing all the accounts and making the process easier for all parties involved. � She has made me feel very welcome within the team, she is extremely knowledgeable in the use of systems and processes. She is great training mentor and makes a positive impact on our team.” - Karol Walton Head of Mortgage Operations
Thank you!
Fantastic! “I would like to nominate Paul Stewart who has been a fantastic supporter of everything that we are achieving in Tandem Motor Finance and has been a real pillar of success since we launched the new division. To provide more context around our BEST values he has shown the following. Brave – he has had to revisit clients who had previously “fallen out of love” with the business and turned these into real success stories. It would have been very easy for Paul to ignore these opportunities, but he has tackled every challenge face on resulting in more business being written now than was written previously. Enterprising - with our clients Paul has taken the approach of demonstrating value in our business and earning a broker's respect. What this has done is to have a proposition based on trust and value rather than price (as some of our competitors are doing). I have also been exceptionally impressed where he has focused on the “junior” members of a client's business. By doing this he has built the value from the bottom up as well as presenting, engaging and reviewing with the decision makers. Simple – it is easy to fall into the trap of selling by feature dumping, but Paul has kept his acquisition simple by focussing on what the client wants – good service, great relationships and supporting a great customer journey. Together – one of Paul’s greatest strengths as he has been an absolute rock, not just to me, but to the rest of the sales team. He has offered support and guidance whenever required and has gone out of his way to provide assistance to any team member who needs it. I have also seen him create new sales opportunities for his colleagues as he understands the power of the team.” - Dave Anderson Director of Sales (Motor)
Send your nominations to: Marketing@myoplo.co.uk