If you are interested in this candidate, please contact Simon Blau via email sblau@cerfinancial.co.uk or call on 0207 626 6065.

00108850

PROFILE:

Chief Lending & Credit Officer with over 20 years of experience leading large, diverse teams across international markets in the UK and Europe. With a truly global perspective, shaped by academic and professional experiences across seven countries, inspires and guides organizations through complex transformations, driving operational excellence, and fostering a culture of innovation and high performance. Exceptional ability to align team efforts with strategic objectives, resulting in significant cost reductions, efficiency gains, and improved credit risk management. Extensive experience in credit risk, underwriting, portfolio management and review, credit ratings, and business development across retail, private, wealth, SME, and corporate banking sectors. Recognized for leadership excellence by the University of Chicago. Authorized to work in the UK with Settled Status.

KEY SKILLS AND ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Transformational Leadership & Change Management: Led cultural change and operational excellence initiatives across multinational teams in Europe, pioneering and executing major transformation programs. Leveraged expertise in Artificial Intelligence (AI) to optimize decision-making processes and automate key workflows, driving efficiency gains. Achieved a 45% reduction in operational costs while enhancing team satisfaction and productivity by 150%. Successfully secured buy-in at all levels, driving measurable performance improvements and fostering a culture of continuous excellence.
• Strategic Leadership: Recruited to establish and lead DBRS Morningstar's new Corporate Finance Unit in Europe, successfully spearheading the company's growth strategy and positioning it as a key player in the market. Driven by strategic leadership and business expansion efforts, two new offices were opened across continental Europe in addition to the London headquarters, strengthening the firm’s presence and market influence.
• Credit Risk Management: At Barclays, successfully managed a credit portfolio of over €100 billion across four different countries, demonstrating deep expertise in handling credit risks across multiple jurisdictions. Extensive knowledge of international business environments, regulatory landscapes, and cross-border credit structuring, ensuring robust risk mitigation strategies and compliance across diverse markets. Engage with regulators, navigate complex regulatory frameworks, and ensure adherence to evolving supervisory requirements across multiple jurisdictions.
• Governance and Strategic Direction: Chaired Credit, Risk Management and Product committees, setting strategic direction and fostering collaborative decision-making.
• Recognition: Selected by the University of Chicago from among its alumni for leadership excellence to mentor alumni senior executives, showcasing exceptional leadership and industry influence.

CAREER HISTORY:

2024 – Present

Fintech Bank

Executive Director (designated as a Material Risk Taker)

An innovative fintech bank specializing in digital lending solutions for SMEs and corporate clients, recognized as a leading provider of AI-driven credit services.

• Recruited to strategically build and lead a new division dedicated to serving the lending needs of larger and more sophisticated enterprises.
• Driving the expansion of the lending business by delivering bespoke credit solutions for high-value transactions, strengthening market positioning, and accelerating growth.
• Leading and developing a high-performing team, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation to enhance the depth and quality of credit assessments.
• Overseeing the full lifecycle of high-value transactions—from origination and structuring to execution—ensuring strategic alignment, risk-adjusted returns, and stakeholder value.
• Shaping and executing lending strategies to build a robust pipeline, drive sustainable business growth, and reinforce the bank’s competitive advantage.

2020 – 2024

Banking

Chief Credit Officer (designated as a Material Risk Taker)

A well-established Italian commercial bank with a strong regional presence, specializing in retail and corporate banking. It offers a broad range of financial services, including lending, wealth management, and payment solutions, supporting businesses and individuals through tailored credit offerings.

• Origination, sanctioning/underwriting and post credit fulfilment. Credit risk policy & credit process.
• Portfolio monitoring and reporting, NPL portfolio management - unlikely to pay and recoveries.
• Special Projects (e.g. investments, lending partnerships, structured finance, M&A).
• Chair and subject matter expert across multiple internal committees, including Credit Sanctioning Committee, Credit Risk Management Committee, Asset and Liability Committee, Product Committee.

Key achievements:

• Executive Leadership & Team Management: As an ExCo member reporting directly to the CEO, led a high-performing team of 132 professionals, fostering cultural change and operational excellence.
• Strategic Transformation: Reshaped the credit department, achieving a 45% cost reduction and significantly enhancing team satisfaction and productivity.
• ESG Integration: Pioneered the integration of ESG criteria into credit portfolios, embedding sustainability into core lending practices and strengthening the institution’s commitment to responsible finance.
• Business Development: Played a pivotal role in the launch of the Leverage Finance business, successfully identifying and capitalizing on new market opportunities.
• Industry Recognition: Awarded the 2021 Italian Credit Management Award by Credit Village, acknowledging exceptional leadership and impact in credit management.
• Growth in Lending & Asset Quality: Increased new lending volumes by 620 bps YOY (€11.1 billion) whilst significantly improving asset quality metrics.
• Cost of Risk Optimization: Reduced cost of risk to 28 bps, driving a 37% YOY improvement, outperforming budget expectations.
• NPE Reduction: Reduced the NPE ratio by 210 bps (from 5.4% to 3.3%) through strategic initiatives, maintaining strong coverage levels at 48.6%.
• NPE Key Achievements: Transfers to performing loans: +144% YOY, increases from performing loans: -20% YOY, collections: +10% YOY.

2016 – 2020

Financial Services

Head of European Corporate Credits

• Recruited to strategically establish and lead the new Corporate Finance Unit, spearheading the company's growth strategy in Europe. Built, led and mentored a high-performing team of analysts from the ground up, enhancing the depth and quality of corporate ratings.
• Represented at high-level stakeholder meetings and conferences, building the company's reputation and network.
• Led and developed strong client relationships through deal execution and direct, personal interaction with clients at the C-level (CEOs, CFOs), arrangers (major European and International CIBs), and investors.
• Spearheaded the creation and transformation of the Corporate Ratings unit, introducing innovative methodologies & best practices, optimizing rating processes & compliance and improved service delivery.
• Authored award-winning research papers, elevating the company's profile in major international news outlet.

2014 – 2023

Lending Fintech

Shareholder & Advisor

• Shareholder in a leading Italian lending fintech, leveraging technology-driven credit models
• to connect investors with borrowers.
• Provided strategic oversight of credit acceptance models, underwriting strategies, credit policy frameworks, and portfolio monitoring. Led the implementation of automated decisioning solutions and enabled the deployment of scalable lending architecture supporting business growth.
• Drove innovation across data-driven lending ecosystems to expand credit access and enhance portfolio performance. Strengthened fintech capabilities by simplifying credit workflows, accelerating decisioning processes, and driving continuous improvement in digital lending effectiveness.

2007 – 2016

Banking

Held multiple senior leadership roles, designated as a Material Risk Taker, including:

- Head of Credit Europe

- Head of UK Wealth, SME & Premier

- Head of UK High-Value and Oversight

- Head of SME Credit for Central London

- Head of Credit Italy

• Demonstrated transformative leadership by managing and developing diverse, high-performing credit teams across Europe and the UK, driving the strategic optimization of credit functions in retail, private, wealth, SME, and corporate sectors to ensure top-tier credit quality and strategic alignment whilst fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
• Successfully drove change initiatives and enhanced team performance, ensuring high-quality delivery of credit products and services. Lecturer at Barclays Business School, sharing expertise and shaping the credit culture.
• Led the setting up of risk appetite frameworks, lending standards, and mandates, ensuring they align with strategic goals and regulatory requirements. Achieved a 125% increase in productivity and a 40% reduction in costs through strategic policy changes and process automation.
• Led strategic initiatives such as the "Premium Business" project, Barclays' most important lending initiative in the UK and Europe, serving high-net-worth clients and their businesses, and managed complex credit reviews and regulatory compliance efforts.
• Implemented Risk & Control Self Assessments (RCSAs) on managed portfolios, enhancing credit risk management frameworks and regulatory compliance practices.

2004-2007

Financial Services

Head of Special Projects

• Directed and executed key lending partnership projects, significantly enhancing operational efficiency and reducing time-to-market for new lending products through strong leadership in cross-functional team management, streamlined processes, and effective collaboration. Rapidly established and developed a new credit department, transforming a team of 30 colleagues into a fully operational unit within three months. Achieved significant career progression from Credit Analyst to Head of Special Projects showcasing ability to drive change and deliver results at increasing levels of responsibility.

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE IN FINANCIAL SERVICES:

• Credit Analyst
• Commercial Business Manager
• Trader

EDUCATION:

2013: University

MBA

2005: School of Management

Certificate in Financial Markets and Asset Management

1999: University

Master of Science in Transportation Management in the EU

2000: University

Bachelor of Science Degree in Business and Economics

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT & AWARDS :

• Selected by the University from among its alumni for leadership excellence to mentor alumni senior executives from major corporate and investment banks.
• 2021 Credit Management Award.
• "Lives Made Much Easier" Award for enhancing business relationships and engagement.
• Authored research papers that achieved coverage in multiple newspapers and earned an award for the best credit research paper.
• Founder and executive committee member, University of School of Business Club of Italy

References Available Upon Request

If you are interested in this candidate, please contact Simon Blau via email sblau@cerfinancial.co.uk or call on 0207 626 6065.

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