Larry Coltman

Vice President, Institute of Credit Management

Biography

POSITION:

Larry is the senior partner dealing with commercial litigation and insolvency matters, including high-value contested debts on behalf of creditors. Large retention of title claims are a regular feature of his work. He also deals with policy disputes in the credit insurance industry. He has been involved in a number of insolvency actions against directors and partners in insolvent businesses. Under the Commercial Agents' Regulations 1993, commercial agents became entitled to compensation and so Larry has specialised in these claims. He regularly advises on agency and distribution disputes throughout the EU and acts for principals and agents. His clients include several major Plcs, as well as UK- and US-based principals exporting goods throughout the EU. He also specialises in franchise claims for franchisors and franchisees.

CAREER:

Trained Wragge & Co, Birmingham; qualified 1984; assistant solicitor Wragge & Co 1984-86; Neil F Jones & Co, Birmingham 1986-88; Brindley Twist Tafft & James, Coventry 1988-90 (also partner); assistant solicitor Warner Cranston, Coventry 1990-91; partner 1991; partner Reed Smith 2001-08; partner Hill Hofstetter 2009 (also partner); Coltman Warner Cranston LLP 2005 to date; frequently lectures at London Metropolitan University; director Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Ltd, Institute of Credit Management Limited, and CSWP Limited; governor Coventry University; regular contributor to the 'Manufacturers Agent Magazine' and 'Credit Management Magazine'.

MEMBER:

Fellow, vice-president and advisory board member of The Institute of Credit Management, R3, Birmingham and Warwickshire Law Societies; board member and past-president of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce; FCIB, ICTF.

EDUCATION:

South Shields Grammar School for Boys; Leicester University (1980 LLB Hons); Chester College of Law (1982 Solicitors' Finals).

PERSONAL:

Born 1958; resides Stratford on Avon.

LEISURE:

Gardening, fitness, tennis, sailing.

Tim Lewis

SVP Head of Consumer Credit, Visa Europe

Biography

Tim Lewis was appointed Senior Vice President for Consumer Credit in Visa Europe in November 2009.  He is responsible for developing Visa Europe’s centre of excellence for credit cards and for ensuring the credit product range meets the needs of members and consumers. 

Tim has a wealth of experience gained in a successful career spanning 25 years in the card payments industry.  Most recently, Tim has been working as the Interim Commercial Director at Barclaycard. Tim’s experience includes four years at Citigroup and nine years at The Royal Bank of Scotland, as well as roles at Barclaycard, American Express, First Direct and Chase.

While at Citigroup Tim gained valuable European experience in his roles as Director, Nordic Cards and Director, Central Europe, Russia and Germany Cards.

Tim Lewis

SVP Head of Consumer Credit, Visa Europe

Biography

Tim Lewis was appointed Senior Vice President for Consumer Credit in Visa Europe in November 2009.  He is responsible for developing Visa Europe’s centre of excellence for credit cards and for ensuring the credit product range meets the needs of members and consumers. 

Tim has a wealth of experience gained in a successful career spanning 25 years in the card payments industry.  Most recently, Tim has been working as the Interim Commercial Director at Barclaycard. Tim’s experience includes four years at Citigroup and nine years at The Royal Bank of Scotland, as well as roles at Barclaycard, American Express, First Direct and Chase.

While at Citigroup Tim gained valuable European experience in his roles as Director, Nordic Cards and Director, Central Europe, Russia and Germany Cards.

Alan Brener

Director, Regulatory Risk Strategy, Santander

Biography

Following his law degree at University College, London, Alan was called to the Bar in 1978 and qualified as a Chartered Accountant with what is now KPMG in 1982. He worked for the Department of Trade and Industry covering, among other things, privatisations.

From 1990 Alan worked in financial services regulation and in 1996 he was appointed Director of Retail Compliance at Nat West Bank and subsequently Royal Bank of Scotland. Alan joined Abbey as Director of Compliance for all the Abbey business at the start of 2006 and is now Director of Regulatory Risk Strategy.

Keith Tondeur

President, Credit Action

Biography

“Keith Tondeur spent twenty-two years in top level stock broking before founding Credit Action in 1990.  In 1994 Credit Action became an independent charity and Keith became Director. Today Keith is the honorary President and speaks at major conferences both in the UK and abroad. He is the author of many books on all aspects of personal money management and is often called upon by the national media for comment.

He has been one of the panel of The Times' money experts. In addition he has regular contact with Government Ministers, other politicians and company directors. Credit Action is actively engaged with the credit industry, supporting initiatives that encourage positive interaction between lenders and those consumers that find themselves in financial difficulties.

In 2004 Keith was appointed one of seven Debt Commissioners under the chairmanship of Lord Griffiths and in 2010 he received an OBE for services to financial education”

Jeff McAdam

Head of Unsecured Collections, UKAR

Biography

Jeff joined Northern Rock as it was in April 2009, after 10 years at Citigroup, where he managed various portfolios in collections such as motor, personal loan, retail bank overdrafts and mortgages.

Before taking up the role of Head of Unsecured Operations, Jeff explored compliance and regulatory gaps in the Debt Management function, working with the debt advice community to change their perception of Northern Rock’s portfolio from aggressive to market leading.

Since the inception of UKAR on 31 October 2010 Jeff has acquired responsibility for all property sales ane LPA sales & letting management across both NRAM & B&B to add to the Unsecured & Recovery activity he already managed.

Jeff has two vices…and both are football related. He is a life-long Everton fan and shares a similar passion for following his country's fortunes at ill fated World Cup tournaments. Jeff has four children ranging in ages from 7 to 23.    
  

Anthony Thomson

Chairman, Metro Bank

Biography

Anthony Thomson is Chairman and Co-Founder of Metro Bank, Chairman of the Financial Services Forum and a non-executive director of teamspirit.

Metro Bank plc, when it launched in 2010, was the first new 'High Street bank' in the UK for over 100 years. It offers unparalleled levels of customer service and convenience, open seven days a week, from 8am to 8pm. Anthony is co-founder with Vernon Hill, founder and former CEO of Commerce Bank, America's 18th largest bank.

The Financial Services Forum is an independent member-based community for over 300 senior executives with an interest in financial services marketing. The FS Forum exists to help members improve their marketing effectiveness on the basis that good marketing is good for the consumer. Anthony founded the FS Forum in July 2000.

Teamspirit is the UK's leading FS integrated marketing company, part of Chime plc. Anthony joined the board in 2007.

In 1987, he co-founded City Financial Marketing, and - as Group CEO - led it to become the largest specialist FS communications group in Europe. In 1997 he sold the group to Publicis (the world's 4th largest agency group) and took a well-deserved year off, before founding the Financial Services Forum.

From 1983 – 1987 he held various roles with Sun Life of Canada, ultimately as Sales and Marketing Director.

He has held other non-executive roles including Century Life (a Life Assurance group) and Jardine Arber (an actuarial consultancy).

Anthony Thomson

Chairman, Metro Bank

Biography

Anthony Thomson is Chairman and Co-Founder of Metro Bank, Chairman of the Financial Services Forum and a non-executive director of teamspirit.

Metro Bank plc, when it launched in 2010, was the first new 'High Street bank' in the UK for over 100 years. It offers unparalleled levels of customer service and convenience, open seven days a week, from 8am to 8pm. Anthony is co-founder with Vernon Hill, founder and former CEO of Commerce Bank, America's 18th largest bank.

The Financial Services Forum is an independent member-based community for over 300 senior executives with an interest in financial services marketing. The FS Forum exists to help members improve their marketing effectiveness on the basis that good marketing is good for the consumer. Anthony founded the FS Forum in July 2000.

Teamspirit is the UK's leading FS integrated marketing company, part of Chime plc. Anthony joined the board in 2007.

In 1987, he co-founded City Financial Marketing, and - as Group CEO - led it to become the largest specialist FS communications group in Europe. In 1997 he sold the group to Publicis (the world's 4th largest agency group) and took a well-deserved year off, before founding the Financial Services Forum.

From 1983 – 1987 he held various roles with Sun Life of Canada, ultimately as Sales and Marketing Director.

He has held other non-executive roles including Century Life (a Life Assurance group) and Jardine Arber (an actuarial consultancy).

Larry Coltman

Vice President, Institute of Credit Management

Biography

POSITION:

Larry is the senior partner dealing with commercial litigation and insolvency matters, including high-value contested debts on behalf of creditors. Large retention of title claims are a regular feature of his work. He also deals with policy disputes in the credit insurance industry. He has been involved in a number of insolvency actions against directors and partners in insolvent businesses. Under the Commercial Agents' Regulations 1993, commercial agents became entitled to compensation and so Larry has specialised in these claims. He regularly advises on agency and distribution disputes throughout the EU and acts for principals and agents. His clients include several major Plcs, as well as UK- and US-based principals exporting goods throughout the EU. He also specialises in franchise claims for franchisors and franchisees.

CAREER:

Trained Wragge & Co, Birmingham; qualified 1984; assistant solicitor Wragge & Co 1984-86; Neil F Jones & Co, Birmingham 1986-88; Brindley Twist Tafft & James, Coventry 1988-90 (also partner); assistant solicitor Warner Cranston, Coventry 1990-91; partner 1991; partner Reed Smith 2001-08; partner Hill Hofstetter 2009 (also partner); Coltman Warner Cranston LLP 2005 to date; frequently lectures at London Metropolitan University; director Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Ltd, Institute of Credit Management Limited, and CSWP Limited; governor Coventry University; regular contributor to the 'Manufacturers Agent Magazine' and 'Credit Management Magazine'.

MEMBER:

Fellow, vice-president and advisory board member of The Institute of Credit Management, R3, Birmingham and Warwickshire Law Societies; board member and past-president of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce; FCIB, ICTF.

EDUCATION:

South Shields Grammar School for Boys; Leicester University (1980 LLB Hons); Chester College of Law (1982 Solicitors' Finals).

PERSONAL:

Born 1958; resides Stratford on Avon.

LEISURE:

Gardening, fitness, tennis, sailing.