Auto Futures Podcast launched with guest Shoosmiths’ Wayne Gibbard

Hosted by David Betteley, the new Finance Connect Auto Futures Podcast is tailored for automotive finance professionals across the UK and Europe, featuring conversations with industry leaders from captives, banks, independent finance providers and the businesses supporting the sector.

The series will explore the economic, regulatory and technological developments shaping automotive finance, including the transition to electric vehicles, changing customer expectations, the impact of AI and the evolving regulatory landscape.

Regulation, growth and the future of automotive finance

In the first episode, David speaks with Wayne Gibbard, who leads Shoosmiths’ automotive finance practice and advises clients on regulated and unregulated asset finance, consumer credit and financial services compliance.

With more than 25 years’ experience in senior in-house roles at organisations including Volkswagen Financial Services, GMAC and Santander Consumer UK, Wayne brings a practical perspective on the challenges facing automotive lenders and finance providers.

The conversation focuses on three key areas: whether regulation can support economic growth, the balance between consumer protection and lenders’ commercial interests, and the continuing motor finance commission redress saga.

Wayne considers whether the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) can successfully balance its consumer protection responsibilities with the need to encourage competition, innovation and investment.

“I do strongly believe that regulation can support innovation and growth,” he explains, highlighting the importance of regulatory certainty for businesses making long-term investment decisions.

The discussion also examines the ongoing reform of the Consumer Credit Act, the expanding reach of regulation and the interaction between the FCA, Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), courts and claims management companies (CMCs).

A central focus is the uncertainty surrounding motor finance commission redress, including the implications of recent court decisions, ongoing legal challenges and the potential consequences for lenders, intermediaries and consumers.

With significant questions still unresolved, Wayne shares his perspective on how the industry might navigate the months ahead and what lessons could emerge for the future of financial services regulation.

Listen to the first Auto Futures Podcast episode

Listen to the full podcast episode below to hear David Betteley and Wayne Gibbard discuss the relationship between regulation and growth, consumer and lender rights, the ongoing motor finance redress challenges and what the future may hold for the UK automotive finance industry.

The Finance Connect Auto Futures Podcast will feature further interviews with leading automotive finance professionals, offering practical insights into the trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the UK and European automotive finance industry.

Continuing the conversation at the Finance Connect UK Autumn Conference

The discussion will continue at the Finance Connect UK Autumn Conference 2026 on 24 November at Kings Place, London, where Wayne Gibbard will join David Betteley in the Auto Finance stream.

The conference will examine the regulatory pressures facing automotive finance providers, including the future of motor finance redress, retrospective regulatory risk and the implications for industry growth.