Neil SimmonsHome Tel: 01904 491411 Mobile Tel No: 07825 299490

E mail: neil.simmons@btconnect.com

Profile:

I am an articulate and presentable individual with excellent communication and negotiation skills. I am an organised, motivated and results driven leader. I have over 20 year’s career experience in sales and performance management within the financial sector alongside an extensive and proven record of successful leadership of teams.

Key Career Achievements:

As Business Manager at CGA Group I have proposed, implemented and led a company restructure in terms of personnel, financing and process to a successful conclusion. Key KPI’s enhanced whilst reducing operating costs by 40%.

At Money Village I sourced, engaged and managed key strategic partnerships representing a turnover in excess of £0.5Bn for the benefit of internal and external stakeholders including regulatory and trade bodies, in addition to the establishment and facilitation of additional income streams producing a 15% increase in revenue.

Whilst at Premium Credit I delivered the largest increase in sales in 2006 increasing financing by 22% to £140m.

As an independent Financial Advisor at the Cheviot Trust, nationally for Winterthur Life I delivered the top Pension Sales in 1999.

Whilst at Hambro Countrywide as Financial Services Manager I restored two regions back into profitability, within an 18 month period.

Current Employment:

CGA Group Holdings Ltd Business Development Director March 2013 – to date

The CGA (Country Gentlemen’s Association) Group has a number of organisations under its umbrella offering a range of Financial Products and Services, all of which adhere to the Associations core principles of unrivalled customer service built on an ethical approach to business delivered by qualified professionals.

I am heavily involved in the strategic planning and business development for CGA Group Holdings, in addition to overall responsibility for the Equity Release specialist brokerage. I drive B2B targeting and development centred around added value products and services for mutual commercial benefit with strategic partners including IFA’s, Insurance Brokers, Charities and Trusts. My role has autonomy for sourcing and subsequent implementation of direct marketing and partner development plans supported by cost benefit analysis and resource compatibility.

I lead the Equity Release team (10 FTE including Sales, Finance and Administration) setting them performance targets against the business KPIs throughout the customer journey. I am responsible for cost control throughout the business, inclusive of contingency planning and credit control.

I am responsible for the P&L based on a turnover of £750K pa. Since joining the business I have formulated the corporate strategy and vision. I have been responsible for an increase in enquiries to sales of 9% and marketing reduced to 10% of turnover. In order to sustain and grow the business I ensure I generate enquiries into the business through the following channels; traditional marketing (publications) Digital media and Introducers. I also design and execute the profiling, segmentation and target marketing of the existing database. I maximise cross selling opportunities and income generation from reciprocal strategic partners.

Previous Employment:

MoneyVillage Head of External Relations April 2008 - March 2013

I was responsible for Creditor Liaison and Creditor funds under management in excess of £0.5Bn. I agreed and implemented process and procedure changes to drive mutual efficiencies. I set targets and objectives maintaining cohesion between corporate strategy, customer journey and key stakeholders, with a team of 5 FTE.

This role involved key relationship management and business development for Money Village. I was heavily involved with the account management of key debt resolution stakeholders in the UK and Eire including HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group, Barclays, Royal Bank of Scotland, Ulster Bank, Allied Irish Bank, Bank of Ireland and MBNA and major Debt Collection Agencies. I was also involved in the account management of strategic partners related to General Insurance, Debt Resolution Solutions and other value add products and services.

This role enabled me to identify and implement commercial opportunities via new or existing strategic partners and stakeholders and develop existing products and services. I lead the generation of new business from the industry sector and associated markets via conferences, exhibitions, networking, direct marketing and proactive promotion with intermediaries.

During my tenure at Money Village I am able to evidence my adaptable approach to work through the completion of key projects through opportunities I identified and advanced. I achieved revenue and strategic KPI’s as agreed by the board and prepared and adhered to an annual PR budget.

Premium Credit Ltd (Bank of America) National New Business Manager Jul 03 – Apr 08

Home based role working in partnership with Insurance Brokers and Intermediaries offering a range of premium finance solutions on Personal and Commercial Insurance.Negotiating at a senior level for partnership development and retention.Managing existing business with a turnover in excess of £140m whilst targeting new business via research, marketing, exhibitions and events.

Employment History Summary:

Prior to Premium Credit I have held positions as a Financial Advisor and Manager for organisations such as Barclays Life, The Cheviot Trust and Hambro Countrywide.Prior to my career in Financial Services I was a Police Officer based in the West Midlands.

Education:

Frank Montgomery School Canterbury September ' 77 - July ' 83'O' Level - Maths, English, Geography

Canterbury College of Technology Canterbury September ' 83 - June ' 85BTEC National Diploma (Business Studies)

Professional Qualifications: Professional Bodies:

Financial Planning Certificate i,ii,iii Equity Release Council Marketing Project GroupCertificate in Debt Resolution NVQ Level 3 (Leadership and Management)CeMAPCeRER

References:

Professional and Personal references available on request.