Q&A with James Fletcher, Managing Director at Close Brothers Leasing, Specialist Finance

Tell us more about your role with Close Brothers Leasing, Specialist Finance and what it entails

Close Brothers Leasing, Specialist Finance writes Lease, HP, Loan and Receivables deals with individual transactions in excess of £250k. Our Sales Managers work with approximately 40 brokers and introducers.

What are your main responsibilities?

My primary role is to provide the team with the tools they need to manage their brokers and customers effectively.

For me, as Managing Director of Close Brothers Leasing, Specialist Finance, there is the perfect blend of finance, sales, relationships and strategic thinking.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

I enjoy working for Close Brothers Leasing, Specialist Finance. The culture and commerciality of the business is a very special mix indeed where the visions and values align perfectly with how I want to work. In my career, I have always adopted a ‘work is play’ philosophy – I do a job not because I get paid for it, but because I am genuinely interested in it.

By adopting this approach I give 100% to the role because it’s enjoyable to do and, consequently, any benefits naturally follow.

What do you see as the biggest challenges in your role in the coming 12 months?

The UK currently finds itself in particularly uncertain and volatile times. My challenge is to ensure that Close Brothers Leasing, Specialist Finance is fully equipped to assist new and existing customers through the turbulence.

What keeps you busy in your spare time?

My 5-year-old son, Thomas. He’s developed into a good natured, fun loving, outgoing chap with boundless energy and enthusiasm. I love sitting and watching his swimming lessons or his football training and I am fully on board with my new additional role as taxi driver. 

It’s also lovely to have some downtime on the couch with him and break out the old favourites from my childhood, like Short Circuit or Goonies.

Tell us something about you that not a lot of people know…

I’m pretty good at chess and regularly play online. I’m a member of Chess.com and currently sit c.400k out of 2.5m members which puts me in the top 16%. If anyone wants a game, my username is JimMcChess.

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