London-based online lending platform Neyber has announced the appointment of Paul Martin – former Credit Risk Director at Zopa – as Head of Credit Risk. In the newly created role, Paul – who has over 25 years of experience in the financial services sector – will bring significant expertise in credit risk management to the company, joining Neyber’s senior management team.
Officially launched last January, Neyber allows employers to offer affordable loans to their employees. Unlike other lenders, the platform looks beyond credit scores, taking into account a user’s employment status and current financial situation. To guarantee the repayments of loans, Neyber employs an innovative technology based salary deduction mechanism, which integrates into an employer’s payroll systems.
Neyber CEO Martin Ijaha offered his thoughts on the appointment:
“Neyber will greatly benefit from Paul’s expertise and understanding of the consumer credit sector. Paul brings unparalleled experience in one of the fastest growing segments of Fintech, having already driven a leading P2P provider towards achieving its first billion pounds in lending.”
“He joins Neyber at a key point in its development and will underpin our growth strategy with an expert focus on risk management. Our senior management team will be enhanced by Paul’s arrival and we all look forward to the contribution that he will be bring to the company’s development over the coming months.”
Zopa aside, Paul has also held senior credit risk roles also at a number of established companies, including the likes of American Express and Santander. The new Head of Credit Risk will specifically focus on the credit risk aspects of product creation, platform development and the company’s underwriting process.
Neyber was keen to stress that this recent appointment underlines its commitment to the maintenance of integral underwriting and operating systems. Paul’s addition follows on from the recent visit of Neyber to Silicon Valley as part of the UKTI Fintech trade delegation – which CEO Martin Ijaha recounted for us in a recent column.
Paul concluded:
“I’m excited to be joining Neyber. I believe that it will irrevocably change the UK’s consumer credit landscape as a result of its revolutionary approach to credit risk management. This is borne out of a business model that focuses on lending to people in work and taking repayments through salary deduction. As a result of this Neyber can deliver loans at lower rates of interest, counter the punitive credit costs faced by families across the UK and boost financial inclusion.”
