Management Team Biographies

Stuart Pender, Group Chief Executive

Stuart became Paymentshield's Chief Executive in August 2004, to lead the team as part of a management buy out. Following the recent acquisition of Paymentshield by Towergate Partnership, Stuart will continue to lead the business which will remain in a completely independent capacity. His focus remains developing and delivering a highly competitive proposition to our mortgage intermediary customers. The future will see an aggressive organic and acquisition led growth strategy.

Prior to joining Paymentshield, Stuart held a number of senior positions in the UK financial services industry, including the Commercial and Finance Director of Prudential UK Intermediaries and Commercial Director for Bankhall, where he led the acquisitions of both Premier Mortgage Services and Norwich Union Mortgage Club.

For the first 10 years of his career, Stuart worked as an actuary for Scottish Amicable after graduating from Glasgow University with BSc.

Richard Dixon, Chief Operating Officer

Richard assumed his role as Chief Operating Officer following the acquisition by Towergate Partnership. He joined Paymentshield in October 2005 as Customer Services Director and his primary responsibility is to ensure the effective delivery of high quality Customer Service standards to Brokers, IFAs and Consumers.

Richard has over 16 years' experience in the mortgage business, both in a product management and a Customer Services/Sales context. His most recent role was as Chief Operating Officer for the Telephone and Internet Bank, first direct. Prior to that, he was Head of Stockbrokers for HSBC Bank plc. An Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, Richard has a Masters in Business Administration.

Vernon Powell, Group Finance Director

Vernon joined Paymentshield in January 2005 as Finance Director, following the acquisition by Towergate he is now Group Finance Director with responsibility for finance and accounting, premium collections and commission payments, and financial planning.

Prior to joining Paymentshield, Vernon was a partner in Deloitte. He had joined Deloitte in 1990, working first in their London office, before relocating to the North West in 1996.

Vernon is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales.

Ross Burns, IT Director

Ross joined Paymentshield in February 2008 as Information Technology Director. He has specific responsibility for making IT a key part of Paymentshield's business growth and success.

Ross has more than 20 years' experience within IT in a wide range of areas. Ross is originally from Australia where he held a number of senior roles within the banking and financial services areas; relocating to the UK 10 years ago. Since then he has worked as an IT consultant to the insurance industry before joining Fusion Insurance Services Limited in 2001 as IT Manager. Most recently he was Head of Underwriting Systems for Towergate Partnership Limited.

Graham Johnston, Risk Management Director

Graham joined the Paymentshield management team in April 2006. Following the acquisition Graham is now Risk & Compliance Director, responsible for ensuring Paymentshield is meeting its regulatory obligations to intermediaries and retail customers, including effective management of appeals and complaints.

Graham joined from Cheltenham & Gloucester, the mortgage provider for the LloydsTSB Group and has previously held senior compliance and risk management roles at Charles Schwab Europe, Zurich Financial Services and Eagle Star.

He is an Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute and Compliance Institute.

Neil Galjaard, Insurance Director

Neil joined Paymentshield in April 2007 as Insurance Director on the Paymentshield Group Board. He holds responsibility for extending our capability so we can continue to develop relevant products and manage pricing and underwriter performance across our insurance range.

Neil has a wealth of experience in the home insurance and creditor markets, his most recent being at Lloyds TSB Group as a director in their insurance company. Previous roles include Product Development Director at Virgin Money, Marketing Director at AMP for the Pearl, London Life and NPI brands.