Meet the Team

Hugh was the Senior Partner of Gill Akaster for 14 years and a qualified solicitor for over 40 years until his retirement in 2016. As a result, Hugh has a background as a commercial lawyer, specialising in business disposals and acquisitions, insolvency work and general commercial property assignments.

Hugh has been the Chairman of Peninsula Finance plc and a founding member since the Company’s inception in 2002. He is a member of the Internal Lending Committee and holds an active role with the other Executive Directors in reviewing Loan applications and also external relationships with investors, funders, auditors and the Board of Directors.

Daniel has been employed by the Company for 20 years. He was promoted to Chief Executive Officer in January 2013 following previous key roles in the Company as Operations Director and Senior Underwriter.

Daniel’s primary role is the general management of the Company and as Head of the Internal Lending Committee he is also responsible for implementing and monitoring the Company’s lending policy to ensure that Loan applications adhere to the Company’s adopted criteria. He holds long-standing relationships with the Company’s broker contacts and is responsible for the development and marketing of new loan products.

He also has a key role at Board level, ensuring that the strategy of the Company is implemented, and in maintaining key stakeholder relationships with the Company’s Bank, auditors and investors.

Robert is the Director of Risk and Legal Services for the Company and holds a key underwriting role as part of the Internal Lending Committee in reviewing Loan applications. Until July 2014 Robert was an equity partner in Gill Akaster and a qualified solicitor for 34 years specialising in commercial law, in particular banks’ security. This knowledge and experience is a key asset to the Company when implementing its lending strategy.

Robert is also Company Secretary and is responsible for other specific legal tasks at Board level.

Matthew joined the Company in August 2005 and is currently the Company’s Accountant handling all operational aspects of the Company’s accounts and finances. Matthew is a fully qualified ACCA accountant and is responsible for, and the primary contact for, our Loan Note Holders. Matthew is responsible for the preparation of the Company’s accounts and budgets in liaison with Daniel Palmer.

From the 1st July 2023 Matthew will be appointed to the Board of Directors as Finance Director.

Suzanne was originally involved with the creation of an IT programme for the Company in 2002 and has since retained a role in assisting and managing Loan accounts. Suzanne provides ongoing management of the Existing Loan Note holders and handling borrower enquiries.

Amy joined in May 2013 to assist with the re-introduction of the Company’s new lending programme and became an Lending Manager and member of the Internal Lending Committee in 2017. This role includes her own mandate for authorising loan applications (in conjunction with other members of the Internal Lending Committee) and is primarily involved in the operational aspects of the Company’s lending activity.

Katie joined Peninsula in 2021, originally for work experience whilst she completed her Accounting and Finance degree, before going on to become a full-time member of the lending team when she graduated in 2022. Katie is involved in reviewing new finance applications and recently achieved her own lending mandate.

Michael is the newest member of the lending team, having joined in Autumn 2022 to provide support for the Company’s increasing lending programme. He is involved in reviewing new finance applications and liaising with clients, brokers, surveyors and solicitors.

Kelsey joined the Peninsula team at the end of 2015. She now manages the administrative side of the Company’s new lending application process, including the formulation of offer documentation and liaising with brokers, property surveyors and solicitors.

Jessica recently joined the Peninsula team in March 2023. She provides administrative support for the accounts department working closely with Matthew and Suzanne.