BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions UK appointed Mark Richards as head of Equipment and Logistics Solutions (ELS) Sales – Key Accounts and Business Development.

The ELS division of BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions specializes in asset finance for the agriculture, materials handling, construction and commercial vehicles markets. Its specialist finance solutions are enablers for businesses across the supply chain.

With over 20 years’ experience in the asset finance sector, Richards joins BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions from Marubeni-Komatsu Finance where he established the business from a start-up and held the position of head of Sales. Prior to this, Richards was head of Vendor Sales for Hitachi Capital Business Finance where he led the agricultural and industrial vendor sales team and supported the broker business channel. He has also worked for other businesses in the finance industry including GE Capital Equipment Finance and CIT Vendor Finance UK.

As head of ELS Sales – Key Account and Business Development, Richards will be responsible for growing relationships with existing manufacturers and recruiting new partners in the agriculture, construction, food, transportation and materials handling markets.

Commenting on the new appointment, Jean-Michel Boyer, CEO of BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions said: “I am delighted to welcome Mark to the ELS team. He brings with him a wealth of experience from across the asset finance industry that will prove to be invaluable in helping to achieve our growth ambitions.”

Commenting on his appointment, Richards said: “Last year, BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions went from strength to strength and to be joining at this time is a fantastic opportunity. My role will be instrumental in ensuring that we continue to provide the finance solutions that our partners need to successfully grow their businesses. To that end, I will be working closely with manufacturers and dealers to ensure we continue to be the funder of choice across all of our core markets.”