The Asset Based Finance Association (ABFA), the body representing the asset based finance industry in the UK and the Republic of Ireland, has announced the appointment of Martin Cooper as its new chairman.
Cooper is senior vice-president of operations at Firstsource, a business process management provider to organisations in the financial services, banking, insurance, healthcare, telecommunications and media sectors. The firm serves over 100 global clients from 46 centres across the globe, including in the UK.
Cooper succeeds Peter Ewen, managing director of ABN AMRO Commercial Finance, as chairman of the ABFA.
Well-known in the industry, prior to joining Firstsource, Cooper spent more than 25 years at Lloyds Bank Commercial Finance, most latterly as Finance Director. He played a major role on the group’s board of commercial finance, with responsibility for developing finance solutions for major corporates across Europe and the USA, and expanding the business beyond its SME core.
He said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be appointed as chairman of the ABFA. The ABFA has always played a vital role in the development of our industry; 2016 will be a significant year for the Association and for the industry as a whole and I am looking forward to contributing to its continued development and evolution.”
The ABFA also Tracy Ewen, who has been appointed vice-chairman.
Ewen is managing director of IGF Invoice Finance, a leading independent commercial finance provider specialising in the SME market. Ewen previously held senior roles at International Factors, GMAC and Bibby Factors.
