CHRIS ALLEN
Southsea,Hants
Summary
Experienced Credit Risk Officer with a proven record of supporting business growth, whilst managing risks to achieve low credit loss levels. Qualified Chartered Accountant and Corporate Treasurer. Credit risk leadership background includes underwriting and managing of end-user financing credit lines across multiple sectors and geographies, and supply-chain financing globally. Strong track record of people management, with focus on skills development and high motivation to achieve best results.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Global Credit Officer
Peridot Financing Solutions
09.2021 - Current
- Leading a team of 23 personnel based primarily in three global centres
- Reporting directly to Peridot Group CFO
- Put in place full credit team structure, processes and education structure, agency subscriptions, and controls environment, following divestiture by IBM to Blackstone
- Responsibility for credit underwriting and portfolio monitoring of supply chain financing asset base with average $4-5bn utilisation, across IT and wider sectors
- Personal underwriting authority up to $750M at obligor enterprise level, based on credit risk rating
- Leading role in daily interlock with credit insurance partners
- Development of credit scoring & auto-decisioning framework
- Very low credit losses, despite challenging macro-economic climate
Global Credit Manager
IBM Financing, Global Channel Financing
11.2019 - 08.2021
- Led the global Channel Financing credit team of 32 personnel, based primarily in three global IBM centres
- Reported directly to IBM Chief Credit Officer
- Responsible for credit underwriting of revolving facilities with IBM and non-IBM business partners and distributors
- Preparation for divestiture of the business from IBM to Blackstone including policies, staffing, and new credit system adoption
UK and Ireland Sector CFO
IBM Consulting
10.2017 - 11.2019
- CFO for IBM Consulting's Distribution Sector business in UKI
- Provided timely and accurate consolidated financial and management information to IBM Consulting leadership
- Financial advisor to sector business leadership team, with key role played in revenue and profit growth achievements
- Financial target setting, deployment and monitoring
- Support for complex deals and accounting issues
- Forensic analysis and recovery plans on troubled contracts
EMEA Senior Credit Manager
IBM Global Financing
Budapest, Hungary
08.2013 - 08.2017
- Led the EMEA Credit team in Budapest, with five first line manager reportees and overall team of 60
- Functional direction to Credit personnel in banking-regulated environment in France, Germany and Italy
- Recruitment, training and development responsibilities
- Regular client meetings across Europe
Credit Manager
IBM Financing, EMEA Channel Financing
01.2011 - 08.2013
- Managed the Channel Financing credit team of 14 personnel, based largely in Budapest
- Responsible for underwriting of approx. IBM business partners, with collateralised revolving credit lines of $4.5bn
- Balanced IBM's revenue and profit targets, with a prudent risk management approach with low credit losses achieved
- Regular business partner meetings across Europe
EMEA Client Financing Credit Manager
IBM Financing
Budapest
04.2007 - 12.2010
- Managed the Client Financing credit team of 35 analysts, team leaders and first line managers in Budapest
- Responsible for portfolio of c.20,000 end-user leasing customers, with total asset value of c.$5bn
- Strong risk management, with low credit losses
- Client-facing experience across Europe
EMEA Senior Credit Analyst
IBM Financing
01.2005 - 04.2007
- Reviews of financed and non-financed deals across EMEA
- Specialist in telecoms, computer services, and airline sectors
- Underwriting and deal structuring on major transactions
Senior Credit Analyst
IBM Financing
01.2001 - 01.2004
- Credit risk analysis for end-user financing proposals
- Detailed credit risk reviews, with underwriting authority
- Customers ranging from SMEs to FTSE 100 companies
Accountant and Auditor
HWB Accountants
01.1996 - 01.2000
- Accountancy training whilst studying for ACA qualification
- Preparation of clients' financial statements
- Audit, tax planning, and legal filings, of SME clients in UK
Education
Qualified ACT (Corporate Treasurers) -
Association of Corporate Treasurers
2005
Qualified ACA (Chartered Accountant) -
ICAEW
2000
MSc - Business Economics
University of Portsmouth
1995
BA (Hons) - Economics
University of Manchester
1994
undefined
Portsmouth Grammar School
1991
Skills
- Proven credit risk leadership experience, with established record of effective decision-making and excellent loss record
- Extensive people management skills including ability to foster strong team morale and skills growth
- Strong written, verbal, and presentational skills with internal and external stakeholders
- Analytical skills grounded in Chartered Accountancy background, aligned with high attention to detail
- Significant client-facing experience
- Change management experience with ability to drive process improvements
Timeline
Global Credit Officer
Peridot Financing Solutions
09.2021 - Current
Global Credit Manager
IBM Financing, Global Channel Financing
11.2019 - 08.2021
UK and Ireland Sector CFO
IBM Consulting
10.2017 - 11.2019
EMEA Senior Credit Manager
IBM Global Financing
08.2013 - 08.2017
Credit Manager
IBM Financing, EMEA Channel Financing
01.2011 - 08.2013
EMEA Client Financing Credit Manager
IBM Financing
04.2007 - 12.2010
EMEA Senior Credit Analyst
IBM Financing
01.2005 - 04.2007
Senior Credit Analyst
IBM Financing
01.2001 - 01.2004
Accountant and Auditor
HWB Accountants
01.1996 - 01.2000
Qualified ACT (Corporate Treasurers) -
Association of Corporate Treasurers
Qualified ACA (Chartered Accountant) -
ICAEW
MSc - Business Economics
University of Portsmouth
BA (Hons) - Economics
University of Manchester
undefined
Portsmouth Grammar School
Similar Profiles
Shia FranklShia Frankl
Mortgage Broker at Solutions FinancingMortgage Broker at Solutions Financing
JOHN MAVROGIANJOHN MAVROGIAN
Senior Account Manager at Total Solutions FinancingSenior Account Manager at Total Solutions Financing
Nudayb AlrashdiNudayb Alrashdi
Marketing and Customer Service Manager at Financing SolutionsMarketing and Customer Service Manager at Financing Solutions