Meet the Expert: Harry Sewell
Harry is a Regional Sales Manager and industry specialist within our Transport team. Here he discusses his favourite part of the role and his predictions for the sector over the coming 12 months.
Here he discusses his favourite part of the role and his predictions for the sector over the coming 12 months.
Briefly tell us about your role and what you do…
I’m currently a Regional Sales Manager within our Transport Division based in Wimbledon and look after the Hertfordshire area. I also support a team of Area Sales Managers, helping them to overcome challenges and more complex deal scenarios. The role also includes involvement with all departments of the business, supporting our customer services, credit and operations.
What was your journey to Close Brothers Asset Finance?
I previously worked in commercial vehicle repairs, sales and hire. Initially I was working within a family business as an apprentice but then progressed into management. Following this I decided to start up on my own, continuing in truck sales and repairs. Doing this allowed me to gain valuable experience in many sectors and meet customers that I still work with today. I have been with Close Brothers for 8 years, I initially joined the company as an Area Sales Manager. I was then promoted to my current role of Regional Sales Manager.
What’s your favourite part of the role?
The best part of my role is helping and watching customers grow their business from small starts to bigger ventures. This in turn allows me to offer a more dynamic and tailored service, something that always keeps the job interesting and diverse.
Give us an example of a deal structure that demonstrates how you can you help a customer
We offer a range of tailor-made support for customers, from simple single asset deals to more complex deal structures. Each agreement we put together is specific to suit different businesses and their asset life expectations. A good example of this is our VAT deferral offering which gives the customer time to reclaim the VAT on their purchases before it needs paying. This assists the customer by keeping their initial cash outlay low.
What are your top 2 predictions for your sector in the coming 12 months?
I suspect our varied customers will find the wider economy challenging over the coming 12 months. The effect of inflation and subsequent interest rate rises will no doubt be a primary factor. Regardless, Close Brothers Asset Finance will be here to support them through.
