Consumer lending specialist Duologi has appointed Giles Askham as operations director, as the business aims to rapidly scale up in the coming 12 months.
Backed by global investment firm Oaktree Capital, Duologi offers merchants the opportunity to provide their customers with bespoke, point-of-sale finance solutions.
Askham will lead the company’s entire end-to-end operation, ensuring that Duologi delivers a seamless client experience, from onboarding through to product launch and ongoing merchant activity.
He will be responsible for innovating and enhancing the company’s wide range of finance solutions, such as 0 per cent finance and Buy Now Pay Later, with ambitions to increase this portfolio and provide the most flexible specialist finance offering on the market.
He will also oversee all outsourced partnerships and will be tasked with managing the company’s wide range of external providers, from software developers to facilities management.
Askham brings to the role 13 years’ experience in operations management for the financial services sector, having worked at both established industry giants and challenger brands.
Prior to joining Duologi, he held a number of senior positions at Metro Bank – most recently head of continuous improvement, supplier management, risk and card operations.
During this four-year tenure, he led projects including the transformation of the company’s contact centre operation.
Duologi is led by co-CEOs, John Taylor and Gary Little, who between them count more than 50 years’ consumer lending experience at institutions such as Barclays and Close Brothers.
Since launching in September 2017 as a two-man start-up, Duologi now operates across a wide range of sectors including retail, education, healthcare, travel and property and counts more than 20 staff.
The business has already secured £100m in annual rolling commitments, with ambitions to have a seven-figure lending book within five years.
“I was part of the banking revolution; when the industry began to finally realise the value of not just providing a service, but developing excellent customer relationships, too,” said Askham.
“I passionately believe that service delivers success and relish working in a ‘start-up’ entrepreneurial environment – so I can’t wait to start supporting Duologi’s growth by implementing these principles and delivering a highly efficient operations strategy.”
Gary Little, co-CEO of Duologi, said: “Our business model is built on decades of financial experience, but underpinned by a spirit of entrepreneurial agility.
“We want to do things differently to the big banking players, so Giles’ experience fits perfectly.
“We’re looking forward to seeing what great ideas he brings to the table.”