Richard Seymour Gare
Shepperton,Surrey
Summary
Results-driven customer support and collections associate with extensive experience in financial services, focusing on both regulated and unregulated credit agreements. Expertise in implementing compliant and effective collection strategies while adhering to FCA guidelines and treating customers fairly. Proven track record of strong communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills, consistently meeting performance targets and enhancing customer satisfaction.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work history
Collections Executive
Close Brothers Asset Finance and Leasing
Wimbledon , Greater london
2022.11 - Current
- Manage collections on regulated asset finance agreements including Lease and HP products.
- Ensure compliance with FCA regulations and Treating Customers Fairly principles.
- Proactively contact customers to resolve arrears and negotiate sustainable repayment arrangements.
- Collaborate with internal departments to support vulnerable customers and deliver positive outcomes.
- Mitigate losses through early engagement with customers in financial difficulty and deployment of appropriate collections and recoveries strategies.
- Confidentially and empathetically communicate with customers through channels including telephone, post and email.
- Understand customer circumstances through appropriate techniques, including structured questioning and use of income and expenditure analysis.
- Provide clear explanations of repayment options and independent sources of debt advice to empower customers to make informed decisions.
- Identify and respond to customer vulnerability ensuring appropriate levels of care , seeking additional support where needed.
Collections Executive
Hampshire Trust Bank
London , Greater London
2020.01 - 2022.11
- Managed a portfolio of commercial and personal customers across asset finance agreements.
- Used open banking data and affordability assessments to design tailored repayment solutions.
- Maintained strong relationships with customers, suppliers, and recovery partners.
- Consistently met KPIs for arrears reduction and customer satisfaction.
Commercial Collections Officer
Wesleyan
New Malden, Surrey
2017.12 - 2020.01
- Generated end-of-lease income through renewal, resale, or disposal of financed assets.
- Interacted at Director level with customers and suppliers to manage arrears and recovery cases.
- Collaborated with Receivers and Recovery Agents to resolve complex cases efficiently.
- Maintained compliance with Wesleyan’s ethical standards and FCA requirements.
Commercial Collections Officer
Syscap (subsidiary of Wesleyan Bank)
New Malden, Surrey
2016.04 - 2017.12
- Generated end-of-lease income through renewals and asset sales.
- Negotiated repayment plans and managed arrears accounts in accordance with FCA guidelines.
- Built effective relationships with Liquidators, Receivers, and Recovery Agents.
- Delivered consistent results through professional and compliant customer engagement.
Customer Account Associate
Lowell Group
Tolworth , Surrey
2013.04 - 2016.04
- Managed pre-litigation collections for major UK banking and financial services clients.
- Handled inbound and outbound calls to negotiate repayment of outstanding debts.
- Adhered to FCA and TCF guidelines in all communications and recovery actions.
- Consistently achieved targets for debt recovery and customer satisfaction.
Customer Account Associate
Fredrickson International
Tolworth , Surrey
2009.09 - 2013.04
- Handled inbound and outbound calls, setting up and maintaining affordable repayment plans.
- Engaged with customers via telephone, email, and SMS to resolve outstanding arrears.
- Recognized and supported customers in financial difficulty or vulnerable circumstances.
- Ensured compliance with FCA regulations and the company’s TCF framework.
Education
GCSEs -
Grey Court School
Richmond upon ThamesSkills
- Unregulated / Regulated Collections (Lease, HP)
- FCA and CONC Compliance
- Treating Customers Fairly (TCF) principles
- Customer Relationship Management
- Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
- Vulnerability Identification and Support
- Arrears and Debt Recovery
- Affordability Assessment and Repayment Plans
- Credit Control and Payment Monitoring
- Team Collaboration and Stakeholder Management
- Sensitivity in difficult situations
- Data entry proficiency
- Tactful assertiveness
- Tailoring collection strategies
- Use of collections software
- Debt collection techniques
- Record keeping accuracy
- Payment Processing
- Account management
Timeline
Collections Executive
Close Brothers Asset Finance and Leasing
2022.11 - Current
Collections Executive
Hampshire Trust Bank
2020.01 - 2022.11
Commercial Collections Officer
Wesleyan
2017.12 - 2020.01
Commercial Collections Officer
Syscap (subsidiary of Wesleyan Bank)
2016.04 - 2017.12
Customer Account Associate
Lowell Group
2013.04 - 2016.04
Customer Account Associate
Fredrickson International
2009.09 - 2013.04
GCSEs -
Grey Court School