THERE is a new chair of the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA): Rebecca McNeil.
Effective 30 November, McNeil succeeds Richard Jones, who has held this post since 2017.
McNeil is a highly experienced motor finance executive.
Currently she is chief executive officer at Close Brothers Retail and was previously CEO at Close Brothers Motor Finance. Her CV also includes senior roles in Barclays as managing director of the Asset Finance division, COO for Barclays Business and MD of product for all business and corporate lending. In addition, she brings a wealth of consumer finance experience from her time at GE Money and AMEX.
Richard Jones, current chair of the FLA board and managing director, motor finance and leasing at Lloyds Banking Group, said:
“I have thoroughly enjoyed chairing the FLA over the last four years, in particular through the recent challenges we have faced into as an industry. I’m delighted to be handing over the reins to Rebecca, her knowledge of FLA markets and her insights on the challenges facing lenders position Rebecca well. I wish Rebecca every success in helping the FLA steer through its next chapter, including the challenges and opportunities of Net Zero.”
Rebecca McNeil, chief executive officer at Close Brothers added:
I’m honoured to be joining the FLA Board. The Association is a formidable advocate for our industry because of its broad membership – that expertise will be vital as we seek the necessary regulatory reform to improve our business environment so that we can ultimately drive good customer outcomes across everything we do.

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.