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Start-up to Scale-up: Conrad Ford steps down as CEO

18 Sept 2019

Funding Options, the UK’s leading business finance marketplace, today announced that with the eighth anniversary of founding the company in September 2011, Conrad Ford, Founder and CEO, is stepping down from the CEO role. He will remain involved with Funding Options as a shareholder and founder.

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  • Fintech business accelerates from start-up to scale-up, powered by international and UK lending growth. 

  • Conrad Ford to step down from CEO & Founder, Funding Options, after eight years of leadership.

  • Scale-up leadership team follows 12-month recruitment drive from organisations including Google, Esme, Tesco and Lloyds, as well as the appointment of WorldPay and ClearBank founder Nick Ogden as non-executive Chairman. 

5pm, Thursday 19 September 2019 - Funding Options, the UK’s leading business finance marketplace, today announced that with the eighth anniversary of founding the company in September 2011, Conrad Ford, Founder and CEO, is stepping down from the CEO role. He will remain involved with Funding Options as a shareholder and founder.

Conrad Ford, founder of Funding Options, says: “It's been an incredible journey from  founding Funding Options in September 2011. The business has played a pivotal role in the UK's now thriving alternative finance sector, having helped fund many thousands of businesses and more recently pioneering in open banking.

“I'm particularly proud of the strong culture at Funding Options, where it has been humbling that so many exceptional people have signed up for the company's mission to deliver superior financial solutions for businesses. With an ambitious and talented new leadership team in place, this is the right moment to step aside as the business moves on to the next stage of growth. I’m excited and looking forward to what’s next on my journey whilst I will always be a member of the Funding Options family.”

Over the past year, Funding Options has moved from fintech start-up to scale-up highlighted by the appointment of Nick Ogden, founder of WorldPay and ClearBank, as non-executive Chairman. During this time Funding Options also actively recruited a deeply experienced leadership team; including Simon Cureton, Commercial Director, ex-Esme and RBS, David Keene, CMO, ex-Google and Salesforce and Alastair Preacher, CPO, ex-Tesco and Lloyds. 

Funding Options has announced a number of business successes over the past year, including continued commercial success, organisational growth, international expansion and winning the £5M RBS Capability and Innovation Fund. 

Nick Ogden, non-executive Chairman of Funding Options, says: “2018/19 has been a transitional year for Funding Options. With new talent in the executive team and accelerating commercial performance we are excited to expand into 2020 supporting more businesses, both in the UK and internationally. 

“Conrad has been instrumental in building the incredible success of Funding Options. We wish him every success as he continues to lead the transformation of financial services.”

Zoe
Zoe Cornish

Chief People & Operations Officer

Zoe Cornish is the Chief People & Operating Officer at Funding Options. Zoe has an extensive background in human resources and in developing and implementing people strategies within companies, covering employee engagement, performance management, organisational culture, coaching, as well as policies and practice. Prior to Funding Options, Zoe was the COO at Emerald group (acquired by Mind Tools).

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Disclaimer:

Funding Options helps UK firms access business finance, working directly with businesses and their trusted advisors. We are a credit broker and do not provide loans ourselves. All finance and quotes are subject to status and income. Applicants must be aged 18 and over and terms and conditions apply. Guarantees and Indemnities may be required. Funding Options can introduce applicants to a number of providers based on the applicants' circumstances and creditworthiness. We are also able to make insurance introductions. Funding Options will receive a commission or finder’s fee for effecting such finance and insurance introductions.

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Funding Options Ltd is incorporated and registered in England and Wales with company number 07739337 and registered office at 4th Floor The Featherstone Building, 66 City Road, London, EC1Y 2AL.

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