Alta Chairs Lively Sales Financing Industry Debate at Leaseurope Convention
London, UK - 13 October 2008
The Alta Group chaired a lively debate at the Leaseurope Annual Convention held in Madrid in early October. Alan E. Leesmith, EMEA Managing Principal, moderated an innovative session in the convention programme on "Sales Financing — The Cornerstone of the Leasing Industry". Top-level speakers enthusiastically set out the case for and against the motion that "Sales Finance is Best Provided by the Manufacturer" and challenged one another's persuasive arguments.
Bret Thomas, Managing Director of Xerox Global Leasing, and Patrick Jelly, Managing Director of Pitney Bowes Global Financial Services, argued passionately in favour of the motion. They pointed to the "natural marriage" between a manufacturer and its captive finance business and stressed the importance of a customer for life strategy and how a captive adds tangible and sustainable value.
Sanford Henry, Director of Asset Solutions, and Beno”t Chenu, EVP, International Business Development at SG Equipment Finance, opposed the motion with equally compelling arguments. They emphasised the importance of "horses for courses" and why the manufacturer and its finance partner should focus on their respective core competencies.
A very satisfied Alan E. Leesmith commented: "Alta was delighted to chair this controversial debate which raised some contentious issues. Both sides convincingly argued their case and actively engaged with the audience. All four speakers were winners with their logical arguments, knowledge borne from experience and debating skills."
Not only did the debaters present their case with authority, but they injected light-hearted banter and personal comments in the true tradition of a debate. This unusual aspect of a leasing conference drew a positive response from the audience and encouraged delegates to challenge the debaters and their arguments.
Tanguy van de Werve, Director General of Leaseurope, said: "The debate was an excellent format for the Convention with a well-balanced panel and quality content. It was a huge success with a large, participative audience. Leaseurope benefited from the experience and we would like to repeat the concept."
Alta was also delighted and proud to sponsor the Convention Gala Dinner at the Casino de Madrid which provided a sumptuous setting for the premier social gathering of the European leasing industry. The casino is of significant artistic and historical importance and home to many valuable treasures. The delegates and partners enjoyed high-quality gastronomy that was original and creative.
Ends
ABOUT THE ALTA GROUP
The Alta Group is a niche international consultancy of multi-skilled asset finance professionals with extensive hands-on experience running leasing companies and in all aspects of leasing. Alta's EMEA Region is celebrating a decade of service in 2008. The Group provides a broad array of strategic consulting and advisory services, interim management, education and training programmes, M&A work and market intelligence services for clients across Europe, North America, Latin America, Australia, China and generally around the world. Alta's clients include banks, independent lessors of various sizes, manufacturers, captives, vendors and others.
For more information, please visit www.thealtagroup.eu.com
MEDIA CONTACTS
Margaret Waldren, MW Links
+44 (0)1372 277772
margaret@mwlinks.com
Alan E. Leesmith, The Alta Group
+44 (0)1444 417688
