CHRIS Rowthorn, a former director of MotoNovo Finance, has decided to transition from car finance into car leasing by joining fleet management company Fleet Alliance.
Chris, who spent almost 22 years at the Aldermore Group-owned finance company, is now starting his own business as a Fleet Alliance Appointed Representative.
“During those last 22 years I’ve seen a lot of positive change and growth,” explains Chris about his career change. “Being involved in the automotive sector is something that I’m passionate about because it plays a vital role in supporting the UK economy, helps customers to reduce their carbon footprint, and supports wider societal climate change goals.”
“It’s been a good first half of my career, however I had the opportunity to try something new and leverage my skills and experience in a new environment. Fleet Alliance as my principal firm gives me the technology, platform, infrastructure, and back-office support that I firmly believe will enable my business to flourish.
“Being part of a firm that has an infrastructure, buying power and brand credibility is perfect - it leaves me with the enjoyable part of connecting customers and cars. And that’s what makes me tick.”
Chris says he’s been a long term admirer of leasing as a product and has personally leased his last three cars.
“Customer preferences are constantly evolving. I see the benefit of usership over ownership, and along with electrification it’s one of the growing megatrends, which I want to be part of – because leasing is only going to get bigger and play a greater part in the new car market.”
What made Chris choose Fleet Alliance?
Making such a step change in your career requires careful consideration and thoughtful exploration explains Chris about his decision to join Fleet Alliance.
“I did a lot of due diligence, as you would expect. I spoke to a company that had started as a Fleet Alliance AR before going on to get their own authorisation and they highly recommended Fleet Alliance.
“I was also impressed by the professionalism and friendliness of the Fleet Alliance people I encountered, spoke to and met, their attitude and by their tenure at the company – it all suggested that the people were deeply invested in the business.”
But apparently that was not all. Chris decided, for a bit of fun, to ask the open source AI program chatGPT on how to start a leasing company. The answer from chatGTP? As an AR through Fleet Alliance!
“So direct, indirect and a bit of AI, all roads pointed to Fleet Alliance!” Chris laughs.
Excellent service, trusted partner
Chris is excited about building new relationships as well as leveraging his large network of contacts, and will also receive leads from Fleet Alliance as part of his AR agreement.
“My ambitions are to provide excellent service, to be a trusted partner to my clients, to give expert support and advice and demystify what can often seem quite a complex process, whether business or consumer,” he says. “It’s about helping customers get the right vehicles for their purposes – it’s a privilege to be able to do that.
“My personal brand is about trust and credibility. That has stood me in good stead throughout my career. You get credibility by delivering on your promises. And that’s exactly what I’ll be doing as a Fleet Alliance AR.”
More information about joining Fleet Alliance as an Appointed Representative
Download the Fleet Alliance AR brochure here
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Ralph Morton is the leading journalist in the leasing broker sector and editor of Broker News, the website which provides information and news for BVRLA-registered leasing brokers. He also writes extensively on the fleet and leasing market in both the UK and Europe.
