The National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers (NACFB) has appointed Simon Featherstone as its new Chair, following confirmation at the November Board meeting. He will serve a two-year term, helping to steer the Association into its next phase of growth, advocacy and industry influence.
Featherstone brings more than three decades of leadership across SME lending, commercial banking and the broker channel. His career spans senior roles at Barclays and Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance, before becoming Global Chief Executive of Bibby Financial Services. More recently, he has held non-executive and advisory positions at innovative specialist lenders including Oxbury Bank and Funding Xchange.
As Chair, Simon will work closely with the NACFB Board and leadership team to build on the Association’s strong foundations, enhance its advocacy voice, and ensure it remains fit to serve brokers and their SME clients long into the future.
Simon Featherstone commented: “It is a privilege to take on the role of Chair at such a critical moment for the intermediary sector. The NACFB has a very strong Board and a solid platform on which to build. I look forward to working collaboratively to take the Association to the next level – ensuring it continues to support brokers, champion small businesses and remain fit for the future.”
Simon succeeds Adrian Coles, who has served as Interim Chair during a period of transition and renewal for the Association.
Adrian Coles, outgoing Interim Chair, said: “It has been an honour to help steward the Association over the past year. I hand this role to Simon with complete confidence. The power of the intermediary channel has never been greater – and its importance is only set to grow. I wish Simon every success as he leads the NACFB into this next chapter.”
Jim Higginbotham, NACFB Chief Executive, added: “We’re thrilled to welcome Simon Featherstone as our new Chair. Simon’s wealth of experience and reputation in the finance industry speak for themselves. Attracting someone of Simon’s calibre is a great endorsement of the vital role we play in the commercial finance intermediary market and reinforces our position as the preeminent intermediary focussed trade body shaping the industry’s future.
“I’d also like to thank Adrian for leading with such steadiness and integrity over the past year, and to Steve Olejnik for his support as Interim Vice-Chair during this period of change.”
Simon’s appointment follows a year of leadership transition at the NACFB. In October 2024, Jim Higginbotham was appointed Chief Executive as the Association began a year of operational and strategic focus to strengthen its foundations and future direction.
