FT’s Kana Inagaki to lead auto finance debate at Finance Connect UK Summer Conference

Taking place in London on Thursday 4 June 2026, the conference will bring together leaders from across the specialist lending landscape, with the auto finance session forming a key part of the opening plenary.

Inagaki will interview chief executives from leading UK auto finance lenders in a discussion focused on how the sector is navigating a period of sustained disruption -well beyond the widely discussed motor finance redress scheme.

The session builds on a stark assessment from Karl Werner, chief executive of Advantage Finance, who earlier this year described the past three years as a “desert of innovation.” His comments reflect a wider industry sentiment that increasing regulatory demands have diverted attention away from product development and strategic growth.

Since then, pressures have intensified. Rising interest rates and cost-of-living challenges, exacerbated by geopolitical instability including the Iran war, are weighing on consumer demand. At the same time, US tariffs are squeezing original equipment manufacturer (OEM) margins, while Chinese automotive brands continue to grow their share of the European market.

Policy developments are adding further complexity. The EU’s Industrial Accelerator Act is reshaping competitive dynamics by linking fiscal support to EU-based production, while the UK’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate missed its 2025 target despite significant manufacturer incentives. Ongoing Consumer Duty supervision and preparations for redress schemes have also placed considerable strain on management resources across the sector.

Against this backdrop, the session will examine how lenders are responding strategically to a combination of economic, geopolitical and regulatory challenges. Discussion topics will include the impact of global market shifts, the cost of regulatory compliance in terms of leadership focus, and the industry’s efforts to rebuild capacity for innovation.

Delegates can also expect insights into emerging opportunities within the sector. Areas such as second-life leasing, bundled mobility solutions, and the application of artificial intelligence in credit decisioning and residual value management are expected to feature prominently, alongside potential product innovation driven by Consumer Credit Act reform.

The session will offer attendees a clearer understanding of the four major external forces reshaping UK auto finance, as well as practical perspectives on how lenders are adapting. It will also provide an honest appraisal of how regulatory demands have affected organisational priorities, and what is required to shift focus back toward growth and innovation.

The auto finance discussion forms part of the conference’s opening plenary, which sets the tone for the day by examining how government policy, geopolitics and regulation are actively reshaping specialist lending markets.

Edward Peck, founder of Finance Connect, will open proceedings at 09:30 with an address on the impact of government and geopolitical shocks on the specialist lending sector. Kana Inagaki’s auto finance session will follow from 09:45 to 10:15, before Christian Roelofs, chief executive of Finativ, interviews the British Business Bank and specialist lenders on what it would take to plug more of the gaps in SME commercial lending to meet Government’s objective to crowd in private capital into underserved parts of the market.

With a programme focused on real-world challenges and strategic responses, the Finance Connect UK Summer Conference is set to provide a timely forum for industry leaders to assess the future direction of specialist lending in an increasingly complex environment.

Visit the conference website for more information and to secure your place for this must-attend event.

Interested in sponsorship opportunities at the Finance Connect UK Summer Conference 2026?To explore packages that drive qualified engagement and real opportunities, contact: Joe Nilsson, Finance Connect’s Business Development Director at joenilsson@finance-connect.com