Speaker Profiles

Chris  Warburton has spent over 15 years in executive roles, leading transformation and delivering performance improvements in businesses in the UK, Canada and across many other markets around the world.

With a passion for new ideas, technology and process innovation, he helps teams find new ways of working to improve performance. Chris frequently speaks at events and conferences. He is always keen to look ahead of the curve, demystify and share experience with a wider audience.  For him, it is all about helping create great conversations in order to generate great solutions.

Data minded and people orientated his experience spans sectors from financial services, telecommunications and more recently in an advisory role in consultancy. He has specialist knowledge across the customer lifecycle, from Account Origination to Fraud, Account management, Collections and Recoveries. He is currently working on a series of videos exploring the latest ideas, innovation and technology in Credit and Collections.  The conversation is available at RO-AR.com.

Russell was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of CIVEA in January 2018 having previously held the post of Chief Executive of the Consumer Finance Association, where he was responsible for working with legislators and regulators and partnering with consumer organisations to raise standards in the short-term lending industry.

Throughout his career he has been involved in the leadership of trade associations.  As such he has become a proficient commentator and spokesman, both through his work with policymakers and through his media profile.  Russell is consistently named in the Credit 500, as one of the fifty top influencers. He has also held senior positions at the Finance and Leasing Association and the Energy Retail Association, now known as Energy UK. He has worked in Downing Street for the Chief Whip and the Cabinet Office as private secretary to the Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal. Outside of work, Russell is a keen angler and is active in church as a Lay Worship Assistant.

Kevin is a longstanding member of the CMICM* and a mathematics graduate. He has been involved in financial service and consumer credit since graduation in 1984. He held senior roles with UAPT-Infolink, Equifax and Intrum Justitia through the eighties and nineties, including being responsible for strategic development across Europe.

Kevin set up his management consultancy firm in 2002 and holds a number of directorships. He sits on a number of governance forums including the Standard Financial Statement (SFS), MaPS DAOG and the Trailblazer Debt Adviser Apprenticeship Scheme. He co-founded APDSI** in October 2010 and the association merged with DEMSA in August 2015. Kevin then took on the role of CEO of the merged association. He has been acting as a debt management subject matter expert and programme manager on a major government programme since late 2019 working closely with global systems integrators like Capgemini.

*  Chartered Institute of Credit Management     ** Association of Professional Debt Solution Intermediaries 

Profile to follow.

Kevin is a longstanding member of the CMICM* and a mathematics graduate. He has been involved in financial service and consumer credit since graduation in 1984. He held senior roles with UAPT-Infolink, Equifax and Intrum Justitia through the eighties and nineties, including being responsible for strategic development across Europe.

Kevin set up his management consultancy firm in 2002 and holds a number of directorships. He sits on a number of governance forums including the Standard Financial Statement (SFS), MaPS DAOG and the Trailblazer Debt Adviser Apprenticeship Scheme. He co-founded APDSI** in October 2010 and the association merged with DEMSA in August 2015. Kevin then took on the role of CEO of the merged association. He has been acting as a debt management subject matter expert and programme manager on a major government programme since late 2019 working closely with global systems integrators like Capgemini.

*  Chartered Institute of Credit Management     ** Association of Professional Debt Solution Intermediaries 

Profile to follow…

Sonya Schofield is the Head of Vulnerable Consumer Strategy at GAIN Credit, driving the company’s approach in fulfilling their vision on how they engage with and support consumers in vulnerable circumstances. Having worked in financial services for almost 20 years, Sonya spent her early years working in various business areas of Collection’s before focusing solely on Consumer Vulnerability for the last 12. Sonya has driven Vulnerable Strategies in various organisations including Barclaycard, Argos financial services & Sainsburys Bank and has built experience in understanding the needs of customers in different vulnerable circumstances through a wide range of products, services, and channels.

Profile to follow…

Mel is the Director of Client Experience and Culture at Equivo.

Previously Mel was the national head of ABL Recoveries at Shoosmiths. Mel provides advice to the finance industry in relation to recovery of assets and monies and is also responsible for the team’s “cradle to grave” motor and asset finance recoveries service providing complete portfolio management solutions to her clients.

Mel has more than 20 years’ experience in the finance industry and is known for being a robust but commercial litigator and someone who prides herself on exemplary client service and fair customer focused outcomes.

Sonya Schofield is the Head of Vulnerable Consumer Strategy at GAIN Credit, driving the company’s approach in fulfilling their vision on how they engage with and support consumers in vulnerable circumstances. Having worked in financial services for almost 20 years, Sonya spent her early years working in various business areas of Collection’s before focusing solely on Consumer Vulnerability for the last 12. Sonya has driven Vulnerable Strategies in various organisations including Barclaycard, Argos financial services & Sainsburys Bank and has built experience in understanding the needs of customers in different vulnerable circumstances through a wide range of products, services, and channels.

Frank Sherlock is the VP for CallMiner International, responsible for expanding CallMiner customer footprint in the region

Based in the UK, Frank has been with CallMiner for 4 years, during which time we have seen significant business growth in the region. Frank holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA) and a Higher National Diploma in Telecommunications engineering. He has worked in and around the contact centre and customer experience space for the last 20 years, including holding senior roles in companies such as Genesys, Intervoice, Convergys, SoundBite and CallMiner. When not working Frank is an avid fan of Everton FC, where he is a long time season ticket holder, and enjoys golfing.

Vanessa Northam is Head of Strategic Relationships at StepChange, having joined from Open Banking pioneers the OpenWrks Group.

She has an extensive background in developing solutions between organisations and vulnerable customers. At OpenWrks she was Head of External Affairs for Tully, the UK’s first digital debt advice organisation to utilise open banking, and led on ensuring the service and solution worked for the needs of vulnerable customers.

Prior to this she lead E.ON’s UK vulnerable customer programme, as well as roles within EDF Energy, Capital One Bank, and a year in consultancy advising organisations across the financial services and utility sectors on the needs of vulnerable customers.

She’s a firm believer in the role technology can place in helping all consumers access services and help, earlier and easier when faced with difficult financial situations.

Profile to follow…