FOLK2FOLK appoints new CEO
FOLK2FOLK, the national, award winning lending platform for local and rural business announces the appointment of Giles Cross to the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with immediate effect.
Giles Cross joined FOLK2FOLK as Chief Marketing Officer in June 2017 and has been instrumental in defining brand, driving awareness and sales within his first two quarters. He brings over 25 years’ financial services experience to FOLK2FOLK and was most recently a member of the senior leadership teams at wealth managers Sanlam UK and The English Mutual Group. He is a firm believer in the ability and responsibility of the financial services sector to be a driving force for good in society, delivering positive outcomes for both customers and the wider community.
As CEO, Giles will implement the company’s business strategy, positioning FOLK2FOLK as the “go-to” provider for rural and entrepreneurial local businesses looking to secure finance for growth, development and diversification, while ensuring FOLK2FOLK loans offer an attractive investment opportunity for consumers seeking attractive levels of interest on their capital.
Giles Cross (Chief Executive Officer FOLK2FOLK): “Our intention is to build a best loved, UK financial services brand; a business built on the value of fair exchange, that delivers stakeholder and shareholder value in equal measure, with a significant national presence: online, in the high street and in the mind of the consumer. Our unique local lending offering and asset backed approach provides a fair, transparent and tangible form of finance that’s attractive to both Lenders and Borrowers.”
Tim Sawyer CBE (Chairman FOLK2FOLK): “Giles has demonstrated dynamic leadership qualities since joining FOLK2FOLK. His clear passion and understanding of our purpose and what we seek to achieve combined with his vision, skillset and clear ability to execute, make him the ideal person to lead us through the next stage of our growth. I look forward to working with him and helping him achieve his goals for the business.“
Louis Mathers (Co-Founder FOLK2FOLK): “Giles has made a huge and positive impact in a very short space of time. He truly understands our business, our heritage, what makes us special and since joining, has been able to articulate our purpose, our value and our point of difference in a way that is now crystal clear to all. FOLK2FOLK is precious to a great many people: Investors, Lenders, Borrowers and stakeholders, many of whom have been with us since the very beginning and I am confident that the business is not only in great hands but also has an amazing future ahead of it.”
