The Intermediary – August 2026 - Flipbook - Page 71
MEET THE BDM
relationships with brokers and
finding the right solution for our
customers.
We also have a new team member
in Kara, our digital AI assistant. She
supports everything from loading
broker proposals and sending
customer letters to helping our
broker support team deliver a more
streamlined service to our broker
partners. She connects the dots
between data and our teams, helping
us work smarter while keeping
the human element at the heart of
every decision.
Coupled with this, we have
ensured that our broker team is
structured in a way to ensure that
someone is always available on the
phone, with field-based BDMs, a
broker executive team in Liverpool
and our dedicated support team
in London.
We’re also proud that every
proposal is read by one of our expert
underwriters. Automation certainly
has its place, but the reality is that
not every customer fits into the
same mould.
Every small business has a unique
story to tell, and by using real people
it means we can look at the nuances
of a deal. It allows us to find sensible
solutions for complex businesses
that traditional auto-scoring systems
might reject out of hand.
What are the challenges
facing BDMs?
The biggest challenge right now
is that a lot of businesses are
understandably a bit more cautious
about capital investment due to
the current political and economic
landscape and we understand that
small to medium enterprises (SMEs)
are facing a lot of challenges. That’s
where we come in.
We pride ourselves on being there
for our customers, rain or shine,
helping them understand what’s
available and finding the right
funding solution for their situation.
We think we’ve got a fantastic
proposition at Simply, but you can
never stand still. That’s why I spend
as much time as I can getting out
to see brokers, making sure they
know who we are, what we can offer
and how we can help them support
their customers.
It’s also important that SMEs
understand all the funding options
available to them. In recent months,
we’ve seen more businesses relying
on unsecured lending. While it has
an important place in the market, it
doesn’t suit all borrowing needs.
Taking the time to explore the
alternatives can often lead to a
more sustainable funding solution in
the long run.
building the Simply Connect broker
portal, we teamed up with trusted
brokers to design a platform that
works well for everyone. Thanks to
this collaboration, customers can
experience a seamless service all the
way from proposal to payout.
We also conduct annual audits and
reviews on our working partnerships
with brokers to discuss any areas
for improvement and how we can
enhance the relationship, as well as
improve customer outcome.
What advice would you
give potential borrowers?
What opportunities are
there for BDMs?
Despite external pressures, the
asset finance industry is resilient
and continues to grow. Recent
FLA data shows annual new asset
finance business hitting record levels
– reaching over £41bn, with SME
lending recording continuous monthon-month growth. This momentum
is driving a steady influx of new
brokers into the market, which in
turn introduces a wider, more diverse
pool of businesses seeking funding.
It also goes without saying, but
there’s real opportunity for increased
use of AI and technology in the
sector. If we can combine the asset
finance market’s growth with techenabled speed of service, the upside
for BDMs is significant.
If a business is looking to grow or
explore their options for capital
investment, involving a trusted
broker or funder at the start of your
planning process may open up more
funding solutions than you realise. It
can also help prevent hasty decisions
that harm cashflow down the line.
At the point of proposal, it’s also
important to provide underwriters
with all necessary business details
including financial forecasts and
plans, upfront. Holding back
information may cause delays later,
whereas a clear plan gives lenders
the confidence to back you.
Finally, find a trusted broker to
build a longstanding relationship
with, so you can have assurance
they’re going to find the right
solution for your business’ needs.
How do you work with
brokers to ensure the
best outcome?
For me, it comes down to working
closely with brokers and providing
unmatched responsiveness. Giving a
clear ‘yes or no’ on financing, rather
than leaving any decision-making
in the dark, means they can give
borrowers certainty and help them
keep business plans moving.
Crucially, we work hand-in-hand
with brokers to give our customers
the best possible results. When
Simply Asset Finance
Established in 2017
Products
◆ Hire purchase
◆ Sale and hire purchase
(asset refinance)
◆ Finance lease
Contact details
Tel: +44 (0)7398 810 853
james.robins@simply.finance
August 2026 | The Intermediary
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