Receivables Finance Connect names Ted Winterton to lead new NextGen Council

Commenting on the appointment, Ted Winterton said: “At the heart of every great business is a great team – and our industry is no different. Our future, the health of our individual businesses and the sector as a whole, depends on attracting, promoting and retaining talent, and supporting the next generation as they develop into the leaders of tomorrow. Only by developing new talent will the industry flourish. Without it, we risk standing still or even going backwards.”

Succession planning starts here

Ted said that the industry has given him a great deal over nearly three decades, and he is keen to give something back. But there is also a more pragmatic reason: “I want to make sure there’s genuine succession planning in place, both as an industry and within our individual businesses. And I want to see the sector create career paths that people can wake up feeling excited about.”

Making the case for receivables finance

“Potential candidates tend to think about banking first and don’t always consider receivables finance or asset finance. This sector plays a vital role for SMEs, and we need to raise our profile through government, UK Finance, universities, and the accountancy and legal professions.”

The industry offers significant opportunities: “You get to see a huge variety of businesses across completely different industries. You support entrepreneurs and their growth aspirations. You see companies at every stage of their life cycle. You gain exposure to every area of the business, sales, operations, marketing and risk, so you understand how everything fits together. And you need a mentor, someone who has your back and genuinely wants you to succeed.”

Learning by doing

One of the key things the sector provides is exposure to all aspects of business and real challenges: “People develop by being put in situations that are slightly uncomfortable, but not so much that they are left to sink. I remember being put in client situations, sometimes alone, that tested my resolve, my common sense, and how I dealt with people under pressure. That’s where real growth happens.”

Ted added: “You’ve got to be a chameleon, able to sit in a portacabin on a trading estate and speak to a manufacturer in a way that resonates, then later meet with a partner at KPMG on the same transaction.”

The NextGen Council in action

The NextGen Council is looking for people with genuine passion for their teams, their business and the wider industry. Ted sees a real opportunity to involve HR and training professionals, and to explore closer links with universities as part of a longer-term talent pipeline.

He concluded: “We’re not going to boil the ocean or be all things to all people. But when we look back in one, two or three years’ time, I want us to be able to point to the things we delivered that made a genuine difference.”

Mike Symes, Community Leader at Receivables Finance Connect, said: “Ted’s experience, his understanding of the sector, and his focus on practical results will guide the NextGen Council as it brings people together to tackle real challenges. Mobilising talent and turning potential into action is what makes progress happen.”

Get involved

The NextGen Council will shortly be 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, taking place on Thursday 4 June 2026. The conference 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 senior practitioners and enable meaningful engagement, providing a marketplace of ideas to encourage innovation, support sustainable growth, and better serve customers.