Close Brothers appoints Alex Griffin as director of product

Close Brothers Motor Finance has appointed former Nextgear Capital and Santander executive Alex Griffin as director of product.

Griffin will be responsible for ensuring that the company develops its efficient product function to meet the needs of clients, so new products can continue to be brought to market, the company said.

He joins the business from Cox Automotive, where he worked as head of product since September 2021, and he brings more than 18 years’ experience in the automotive industry, having held roles at Santander and NextGear Capital since joining the automotive sector on Ford's graduate scheme in 2005.

Seán Kemple, managing director at Close Brothers Motor Finance, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Alex to the team.

“His expertise, knowledge and vast experience in the industry will help us to continue to deliver a seamless service to our dealers and customers, now and in the future.”

Griffin said: “I’m really excited by my new role at Close Brothers Motor Finance. Having been part of the industry for a long time, I have always respected the business and seen first-hand how Close Brothers Motor Finance has continued to support dealers, even through recent challenging times.

“I have been impressed by the colleague-first approach, as well as the underwriters and the respected account management team, which was a key factor in my decision to join.

“Everyone here knows the direction in which the business is heading, and I am looking forward to pushing our commercial offerings and ensuring that we continue to bring new, leading, and innovative products to market.”

Newly-appointed Close Brothers Motor Finance sales director Lisa Watson has said she is excited to make a start after seeing the speed of “rapid transformational changes” at the business.

In November 2021, the Finance and Leasing Association (FLA) announced the appointment of Close Brothers Motor Finance chief executive Rebecca McNeil as its new chairperson.

In October last year, the business teamed-up with AutoTrader to launch a “motor finance industry-first data tool” offering consumer demand insight to car retailers.