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.
Brian Jerome
Associate Director
Brian joined Arkle Finance during 2017 offering 30+ years of experience in the asset finance sector, having built up a wealth of expertise during stints at GE, Barclays and D&D Leasing. Heading up the Sales and New Business departments, Brian spends his days at the coalface, always with a smile on his face. Having been a keen rugby player, in his spare time Brian helps coach and support the rugby and football teams that his two sons play for, however his ballet skills are somewhat lacking when it comes to his daughter!
Ian Smith
Broker Channel Manager
Ian joined Arkle Finance during June 2019, prior to which he worked at Shawbrook Bank as a Broker Manager. A solid foundation in the Asset Finance industry coupled with Ian’s natural people skills underlies his positive engagement with new and existing partners in the Broker channel to achieve the successful delivery of set strategic targets. A Birmingham boy, born and bred, Ian is a Birmingham City season ticket holder, and also likes to play a bit of golf and snooker while in his spare time he enjoys DIY and gardening.
Clare Peel
Broker Channel Manager
Clare joined the Arkle team during 2019 as Broker Channel Manager, having previously held a similar role at Hampshire Trust Bank. The cornerstone of Clare’s solid asset finance experience coupled with her natural focus on the best outcome for the customer, ensures that she maximises sales opportunities and business conversion. Outside of work Clare enjoys watching Formula 1, spending time with her three Huskies and horse and when time allows, she can be found walking in the Peak District.
Jay Lucas
Aviation Specialist
Jay is an accomplished Business Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the financial sector, having over 15 years’ experience in Banking & Account Management. Skilled particularly in Banking (Consumer & Commercial), Sales, Management and Insurance, he is a strong sales professional with a HNC focused in Business & Finance from The University of Northampton. In his spare time, Jay is a keen indoor skydiver and also enjoys spending time with his wife, 3 children and (sometimes) an audience of many - having been a professional singer for almost 20 years.
Tom Milne
Marine Specialist
Tom joined Arkle Finance in January 2020 as Marine specialist having previously spent 10 years at Lombard in a similar role. Tom has been involved in the Marine industry for 25 years and in addition to his asset finance role he has been a professional skipper, yacht broker and run his own sail making company. Tom has a wealth of knowledge about all things marine and enjoys discussing all aspects of a boat purchase with customers. It’s probably unsurprising that Tom spends much of his spare time with boats and will often be found socialising and racing his RS100 dinghy at his local sailing club or out in the Solent on something a bit more comfortable. Tom and his wife have two teenagers who keep them on their toes.
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.
