Thirty asset finance professionals have become the first graduates of a new Diploma in Asset Finance (DipAF), awarded by The London Institute of Banking & Finance. The qualification was developed jointly with the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) and in consultation with the industry to establish common standards and recognise the skills and expertise of those in the sector.
DipAF provides specialists working in the asset finance sector with the in-depth knowledge they need to operate effectively and the opportunity to attain an industry- recognised qualification.
At the inaugural graduation ceremony, held in London in September:
Stephen Sklaroff, Director General of the FLA said: “We launched the course two years ago in response to our members’ request for a new qualification – one that could be used to develop the expertise and professionalism of those already in the industry, but also complement the existing range of training to provide career path support from entry-level through to skilled practitioner. The Diploma offers a thorough grounding in regulation and business practice – bedrock requirements for the kind of confident, forward-thinkers who will be needed to plot the next steps for our industry. “
Alex Fraser, Chief Executive of The London Institute of Banking & Finance said: “It’s increasingly important for professionals to be able to demonstrate they have the right skills and depth of knowledge needed in this important sector. Our qualification not only helps to do that but will stand them in good stead for a long and successful career. It’s been fantastic to be able to collaborate with the FLA – it’s ensured we delivered what their members, and the industry, needed.”
Here’s what a few of the graduates had to say:
Danielle Pettet, Senior Representative Internal Sales, CHG-Meridian, says: “Completing this qualification was a tangible opportunity to widen my skill set & broaden my knowledge of asset finance as a whole. Learning is of vital importance to me, and this course allowed me to build on my existing knowledge base whilst also broadening my horizons in areas of the industry/process in which I was less familiar. Overall, this has really opened my eyes to the process within other departments and further developed my passion for the whole industry.”
Jonathan Campbell, from BC Asset Finance says: “My main motivation for studying the Diploma was simply to gain more of an understanding of the subject. I started working in Asset Finance in 2015 having come from a non-finance background and, whilst I received on the job training, I was always on the lookout for a course like this. The bulk of finance training in the main seems to be focused very much on accountancy and taxation, with asset finance barely being touched upon. I was therefore delighted to hear that this diploma was being offered, and when I looked at the course content I found it to be both in-depth and very relevant.”
Geoff Maleham, Head of Credit Risk at Hitachi Capital Business Finance was at the event to support a member of his team who was among the graduates. He said, “The course covers a variety of topics that are pertinent to our work at Hitachi Capital Business Finance and the leasing Industry. I saw the course as a great opportunity for my colleague to gain a recognised qualification that would aid her future career. The Leasing industry is continually changing and evolving, with new regulations and economic challenges. As an alternative finance channel to mainstream banking it’s often overlooked by people wanting a career in finance. The core of the industry is ultimately the same – providing financial solutions to help people or businesses succeed in their chosen area. Being part of the huge growth in alternative finance is hugely exciting and I would highly recommend a career in this area.”
The Diploma in Asset Finance (DipAF) is a Level 5 qualification registered with Ofqual in the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).