Our History
Arkle Finance Ltd, or AFL, was created by its
parent, Weatherbys Bank Ltd, (a long
established and family owned Private Bank) in
1997. Since then we've grown to support more
than 10,000 customers spread around the UK.
Arkle Finance Ltd, also known as Afl, is a funder specialising in Asset Finance and Leasing. Established in 1997, our purpose is to help businesses large and small, as well as private individuals, to obtain the equipment & vehicles they require and we do so by offering a wide range of financial products each tailored to suit the equipment concerned and our customers’ specific needs.
AFL provides corporate, small business and consumer asset finance as well as specialist funding for renewable energy installations; inland and ocean going vessels and specialist finance for educational institutions. We seek to lend responsibly and to treat our customers fairly, ensuring we provide the most appropriate asset finance product to suit our customers’ needs.
Here are some good reasons to select AFL as a finance partner.
Every day we set out to be prompt, diligent, flexible, straightforward, reassuring, and responsive.
A member of our team will personally answer your call quickly and ensure that your call is handled appropriately.
A member of our team will answer your call quickly, listen to your enquiry carefully and respond with the right facility according to your specific needs.
We provide a transparent, indispensable and inspiring customer experience, setting out to be prompt, diligent, flexible, straightforward, reassuring, and responsive.
We are ethical and trustworthy lenders who communicate clearly, without unnecessary jargon. We always try to lend responsibly and treat our customers and stakeholders fairly.
We will always communicate clearly and without unnecessary jargon.
Daniel Bailey
Executive Director
Dan’s career has developed in parallel with the growth of Arkle where he has acquired front line experience across a range of functions during his 15-year career in Asset Finance. Working under the tutelage of his predecessor, Stephen Bassett, Dan joined the Board in 2015 and was appointed to the role of Executive Director two years later. When not at work, Dan enjoys an active lifestyle, spends time with family and supports his local community.
Nathan Smith
Chief Operating Officer
Nathan is a fully qualified Chartered Accountant and joined Arkle Finance in 2019, having previously been the Chief Operating Officer for Investec’s Corporate & Institutional Banking business. Nathan manages AFL’s Finance, Risk, Operations and Technology functions – helping to drive improvements in operational excellence and client delivery, as well as building the risk governance processes. In his spare time Nathan enjoys travel and spending time with family and friends.
Keir Bradie
Commercial Director
Keir has spent his career to date in the Asset Finance sector gaining considerable experience in that time working for several funders as well as five years as Commercial Director of one of the UKs largest finance brokers. He brought all this experience to Arkle Finance in 2022 with responsibilities to develop and lead the sales activities of the business. His spare time finds Keir frequently in the gym, running and dog walking, all to facilitate his main passions of all things food and cooking.
Brian Jerome
Broker & Wholesale Specialist
Brian joined Arkle Finance during 2017 offering thirty-five+ years of experience in the asset finance sector, having built up a wealth of expertise during that time across a wide range of fund providers. His experience is now deployed developing and delivering Arkle’s Wholesale specialisms via our Broker community, as well as looking after a number of key Arkle relationships.
A keen rugby fan Brian still dabbles with Touch Rugby for fitness and fun as well as regularly turning to running to burn off excess pounds. Most of his spare time is bound to his three children and dog and his ever tolerant wife!
Jack Camilatto
Regional Broker Manager – The North
Jack has spent his working career to date within the financial services industry and gained experience working for both brokerages and banks/funders. Priding himself in his relationship management skills, Jack is an enthusiastic salesperson who likes to get the job done! In his spare time, Jack can be found watching anything sports related and is very fond of cooking – always embracing his Italian roots!
Dominic Bronti
Business Development Manager
Dom joined Arkle Finance in January 2023, he has worked in the financial services industry for the majority of his working career to date. His prior experience was gained with a broker/funder that operated primarily in the education sector. His drive comes from developing new and existing relationships with brokers and colleagues alike! In his spare time, Dom enjoys spending time with family, taking his French Bulldog out on evening walks and going to the gym.
Tom Milne
Aviation & Marine Specialist
Tom joined Arkle Finance in January 2020 as Marine specialist having previously spent 10 years at Lombard in a similar role. In 2022 he became our Aviation & Marine specialist following his two passions and a career immersed in both the Marine and Aviation sectors. Tom has been involved in the Marine industry for the last 25 years and in addition to his asset finance roles he has been a professional skipper, yacht broker and run a sail making company. Tom is also a keen aviation enthusiast having flown solo at 17 and then joined the Royal Air Force flying, in some fairly lively places, predominantly on Chinook helicopters. Tom has a wealth of knowledge in these sectors and enjoys discussing all aspects of purchasing boats and planes with customers. He lives on the south coast with his wife and two teenagers and in his spare time he enjoys racing his dinghy and socialising at his local sailing club. Whenever the opportunity arises Tom is delighted to sail on other yachts or jump in an aircraft and take to the skies.
Mike Clarke
Leisure Sector Specialist
Mike joined Arkle in May 2021 as Leisure Sector Specialist having previously spent 25 years in a similar role for RoyScot Larch, a Lombard joint venture, specialists in caravan and marine finance. He has been involved in the caravan industry for around 30 years and more recently was involved in a variety of projects surrounding upgrading the infrastructure on a caravan park and the day-to-day operation of a golf buggy sales and spare parts business. Mike is passionate about the caravan industry and is delighted to be involved in offering a properly bespoke lending option to park operators where none has existed for several years. In his spare time, Mike enjoys watching the England rugby team play when possible and is a keen boxing fan. Mike and his wife have two children; the oldest having just graduated from university whilst the youngest has just started a three-year degree course.
