Who We Are, What We Do...

About Us

Asset Finance Specialists Ltd are a business finance brokerage based in the South West, with managers in Exeter, Bridgwater, Cheltenham and Bristol.

We each have over 30 years’ experience in the industry, working within some of the largest financing organisations and also as brokers.

We’ve diligently built contacts and relationships with many businesses, suppliers and funders over the years and we know the right people to go to.

Our Team

There are four of us that make the company tick.

We’re friendly and approachable.  Give us a call and see what we can do for you.

Richard Arnold

Director
07747 609524
richard.arnold@afsuk.com

Richard has over 30 years experience in the finance sector working in both the corporate market and as an independent funder/broker and holds a Chartered Banker, Diploma in Lending Skills.

During his career Richard has worked in many different roles from Relationship Management, Leadership, where he spent 10 years running a successful sales team and has also been involved in shaping funders credit policy/appetite and training new entrants to the industry.

Setting up Asset Finance Specialists Ltd in 2019 represented an exciting new chapter in his life and gives him the opportunity to use his knowledge and industry contacts to support SME’s across the South West.

Outside of work, Richard is married with two children, he enjoys golf, football and rugby although watching these days.

Ian Thomas

Director
07732 728672
ian.thomas@afsuk.com

Ian has over 30 years experience in the Asset Finance industry having worked for RoyScot Trust and Lombard before joining an independent funder / broker.

During his time at Lombard, Ian was a Relationship Director and recognised as salesman of the year, and consistently maintained the position of top performer in the South-West territory for 13 years+

Ian has a depth of experience in assisting customers of all sizes and is passionate about providing finance solutions for SME’s.

Ian is also married with 2 children. He still regularly plays cricket and enjoys all sport in his spare time.

Paul Tregale

07960 081685
paul.tregale@afsuk.com

Paul has over 30 years’ experience within the financial services sector having worked for Lloyds Bank Plc and Lombard. More recently Paul has spent the last 3 years setting up an Asset Finance Division of a local SME business, now having had that experience of working with multiple funders, he decided the time was right to become an independent finance broker within Asset Finance Specialists.

During Paul’s career he has always been in prominent customer facing roles, so customer relationship management is a key strength. In the 15 years stay with Lombard, he broadly remained working within the South West region, having the responsibility to manage a diverse portfolio of clients. Paul also holds the Chartered Banker, Diploma in Lending Skills.

Paul is married with two children, in his spare time he is a season ticket holder at Ashton Gate along with his youngest son who enjoy watching Bristol City FC, and also watching his son play football at weekends.

Alex Wilkins

07710 011688
alex.wilkins@afsuk.com

Alex has over 30 years in the finance industry, working in senior credit and sales roles for Close Brothers, Barclays and Lombard.

As well as funding more traditional assets, over the last 10 years he has developed a deep knowledge of the renewables and sustainable finance markets, successfully securing many millions of funding for clients. Alex works with both SME’s and Corporate clients who often require more complex solutions for larger capital sums, funding assets that include AD Plants, Battery Storage, Biomass, EV Infrastructure and Solar.

A keen footballer/grassroots coach, tennis-player and NH racing enthusiast, Alex is now mainly relegated to taxi driver for his 2 sports-mad children.