Receivables Finance Connect Appoints Fozia Riaz as Special Projects Lead

Receivables Finance Connect has appointed Fozia Riaz to its Advisory Board as its Special Projects Lead.

The role operates between the Advisory Board and the four councils, maintaining visibility across each area of activity while ensuring workstreams remain aligned with the community’s strategic direction and its North Star with an ethos of: “To create the recognised industry community for receivables finance and asset-based lending – providing a platform for discussion and debate, with a clear remit to stimulate growth and deliver tangible benefit: increasing the size of the industry, its client base, its talent and its technology.”

Speaking of her appointment Fozia said: “I’m in a privileged position having worked across many different functions throughout my career. It allows me to easily put myself in people’s shoes and quickly understand what they need, whether that’s a team going through change or assisting an industry council working on a focused project.”

“Each of the councils will be working in their own lane,” she added. “Which is where my role will come into practice, making sure those lanes are not only moving in the same direction and at the same speed, but also ensuring that we’re focusing on work that genuinely supports what we set out to achieve as a community.”

One of Fozia’s initial priorities is the development of a recruitment framework for each council. The aim is to make it easier for the appointed council leaders to identify and engage the right people, including new voices who may not previously have had the opportunity to contribute.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for people to be involved in making a significant and impactful change to the receivables industry. What we’re building here is something for the future and it is crucial we have a wide variety of people involved who will help to play an important role in shaping its potential and leave a lasting legacy.”

Fozia also spoke about the personal significance of the appointment. “The receivables world has given me huge amount both personally and professionally, and I’m at a stage in my career where I want to give something back. If being involved helps someone younger see a different picture of what’s possible, then I would be happy with that.”

When asked what the role involves, she commented: “This is a new appointment and a new initiative which has the potential to drive some considerable change throughout the industry. I’m excited to see how far we can take this.”

Mike Symes, Community Leader at Receivables Finance Connect, said: “Fozia brings deep industry experience and a clear ability to connect the bigger picture. She has a strong sense of how the industry can develop, and her input will help translate that direction into delivery against the vision.”

Get involved

The Councils (Technology, Innovation, NextGen and Intermediary) are currently recruiting senior participants from across the receivables finance sector. To express an interest in participating, contact Mike Symes at mikesymes@finance-connect.com or Edward Peck at
edwardpeck@finance-connect.com.

Save the date

Receivables Finance Connect is part of the Finance Connect Conference on 24 November at Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9AG. The event brings together more than 850 senior leaders from across financial services, with dedicated content, networking and working sessions for lenders, intermediaries, and specialists across asset and receivables finance.

About Receivables Finance Connect

Receivables Finance Connect is a professional community for the receivables finance and asset-based lending sector. Its mission is to connect practitioners and enable meaningful engagement, providing a marketplace of ideas to encourage innovation, support sustainable growth, and better serve customers.