ASTL

New ASTL executive committee to focus on industry training




The new executive committee of the Association of Short Term Lenders (ASTL) will look to assist young people in gaining knowledge about the industry, according to the ASTL CEO Benson Hersch.

Earlier this month, the ASTL unveiled its new executive committee for the upcoming year. 

The four new board members are:

Sarah Jackson, head of underwriting at Pivot
Narinder Khattoare, CEO at Kuflink
Anita Kirkbright, head of operations and customer service at Amicus Finance
Jonathan Newman, senior partner at Brightstone Law

The quartet will join current board members Benson, James Bloom, managing director of short-term lending at Masthaven, and Brian West, director at Central Bridging. 

Speaking to Bridging & Commercial, Benson said the new committee worked in a broad spectrum of the industry and would bring their knowledge and experiences to help shape the future of both the ASTL and the short-term lending sector.

“The committee plans to focus on providing training to assist young people to gain knowledge of the industry and help to ensure that the next generation will learn from those with more experience.   

“We plan to have a series of seminars which should be of interest both to members and others in the industry.”

The ASTL is currently celebrating its 10th anniversary and, according to Benson, the past decade has seen a number of achievements.

“Over the years, the committee has been [at] the forefront of the ASTL’s mission to improve the professionalisation of the industry and to promote responsible lending practices.”

Looking to the future, Benson added: “There are a growing number of lenders entering the bridging sector, some without much relevant experience.   

“In future, it will become even more important to align standards, improve transparency and educate all stakeholders.”

Looking at how the ASTL plans to expand its remit and work with new trade bodies and sectors, he added that it was already working with other trade bodies in the industry.

“Our new series of meetings of lenders and brokers has been a great success – we have to limit [the] number of attendees.   

“The ASTL has always been an association of lenders and service providers.   

“Our aim is to cooperate with intermediary organisations, not compete with them.   

“We are appreciative of the efforts made by both FIBA and the NACFB to improve standards in the industry.”

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