Ben Antcliffe
Can you tell us a bit about your background?
I am originally from Huddersfield in West Yorkshire. Having graduated from Sheffield Hallam University in 2005 with a 1st class degree in hospitality business management I returned immediately to financial services having spent time with the Co-op Bank prior to going to university. I joined Countrywide as a mortgage and protection consultant in 2006 becoming fully CeMAP qualified. All was going well until the infamous Northern Rock withdrawal queues and the ensuing shutdown of the majority of the mortgage market in 2008. The estate agency I worked in was focussed in the first time buyer market and the removal of 100% LTV products saw business levels drop. It was at this point, I saw the opportunity to join Countrywide’s compliance department.
After 6 years of driving the length and breadth of the country to audit mortgage & protection advisors from Glasgow to Truro, along came Consumer Credit into the regulators scope which came along with exciting opportunities. In 2014, I moved into the sector with BrightHouse who provided an essential service to those who were excluded by traditional main stream credit providers with a way to spread the cost of essential household goods. There were fewer firms at the time that would be placed under more scrutiny by the regulator in relation to lending and therefore joining this company was nerve-wracking and exciting. After 6 years of hard graft with BrightHouse, the journey ended as with many high cost credit providers when impending FOS liabilities made future investment impossible resulting in the firm entering administration as the Covid lockdown started.
Time for a new challenge, in steps Cosegic! During my time at BrightHouse we worked with various consultants over the years and what always stuck with me was their feedback that I should think about a role in consulting.
What excites you about working for Cosegic?
The consulting business is reliant on having good people, competent and focussed on delivering the best possible service and value to their clients. At Cosegic, the people I work with excite me. There is also a massively exciting challenge of supporting our clients with their compliance needs as well as being a trusted business partner that can assist client with their strategic thinking ensuring that any regulatory considerations are made clear.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Seeing my team grow and giving the best possible advice and service to our clients.
What areas do you see as the biggest challenges, and what opportunities come with them?
The ever-changing view from the FCA is both frustrating and challenging. The FCA are in a difficult position given that when authorised firms fail, the default view is that the FCA hold part of the blame. But with challenge comes opportunity and this increases the need for firms get advice from experts.
What are you working on at the moment?
Driving all aspects of my team and business forward. Consumer Duty remains the biggest challenge for regulated firms in gauging how much is enough in demonstrating good customer outcomes.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Don't worry about the things you can't control, focus on the things you can.
Describe yourself in three words.
Driven, focussed and meticulous.
Outside of work, what keeps you busy?
Coaching my son's football team as well as playing myself when my ageing body allows. I am also trying to play more golf when time allows but busy weekend schedules often prevent this from happening.
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