This year’s Investec Asset Finance Broker Conference focused on ‘shaping the future’. Fostering diversity, paving the way for the talent of tomorrow and improving on the successes of today were prominent topics, each of which was reflected in the diverse panel of guest speakers.

Andrew Mitchell, MP for Sutton Coldfield, addressed the important role that UK businesses have in addressing the concerns of young people about political uncertainty amid the Brexit debate and diminishing confidence in politicians.

Nicky Moffatt, the British Army’s highest-ranking female officer, talked about recruiting and retaining talent – a crucial issue for the broking community – through the prism of her own experience, highlighting the importance of leadership within any industry.

‘We’re poised to help brokers take an approach of diversity and commitment to their own teams, and truly benefit from it.’

Joe Simpson, mountaineer and author, discussed the importance of focused decision-making in the context of a  literal life-and-death situation related to his bestselling book, Touching the Void.

At Investec Asset Finance we’re addressing these issues. As a proud employer of a diverse and committed team – 48% of our staff are female an 65% have been with the business for three years or more – we’re poised to help brokers take such an approach to their own teams, and truly benefit from diversity.

We understand that, as a broker, you may lack the resources to invest in staff recruitment, training and retention on a standalone basis. To help you with that, next year we will launch a broker training programme giving brokers at all levels accredited training in the basics of asset finance, credit and risk management and product and agreement types.

Shaping the future of our industry is a responsibility we all share, and we’re proud to be doing our bit.