Executive Change:Lowell Group appoints Head of External Recoveries

Leeds-based Lowell Group, the UK’s leading debt purchasing company, has recruited Paul Thomas from Capital One Bank as its Head of External Recoveries.

In his new role, Paul is responsible for developing and managing the panel of debt collection agents (DCAs) Lowell has approved to undertake collections work on its behalf. As well as monitoring collections performance, one of his key tasks will be to ensure the DCAs maintain strict operating standards imposed by Lowell to ensure regulatory compliance and the fair treatment of its customers.

Paul spent the last three years at Capital One as Debt Sale Manager, managing the bank’s relationships with debt purchasers. Prior to that, he was responsible for managing the performance of Capital One’s roster of DCAs.

Andrew Bartle, Lowell Group’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “Having worked closely with Paul over the last three years we know his skills and experience are second-to-none. We are delighted he has joined us and expect him to make a significant contribution to Lowell Group’s future success.”

About Lowell:

1. Formed in 2004 Lowell Group is a specialist debt purchasing company. Lowell Group buys consumer debts from a range of blue-chip organisations and then manages the recovery of those debts, working closely with debtors to help them resolve their financial difficulties and pay off what they owe.
2. In April 2008 Lowell Group was acquired by Exponent Private Equity and existing management for an undisclosed value. Today the business employs more than 400 people at its state-of-the art HQ and customer contact centre in Leeds.
3. In recent years Lowell Group’s performance has earned it numerous awards. In November 2007 the company was named ‘Debt Purchaser of the Year’ at a national debt industry awards event and in March 2008 it was recognised as one of the UK’s fastest growing businesses after being named ‘VC-backed business of the year’ in the Fast Growth Business Awards 2008.
4. Chief Executive Officer James Cornell was the Yorkshire Institute of Directors ‘Young Director of the Year 2007’ and Chief Operating Officer Andrew Bartle was awarded the ‘Developing the Team’ award at the 2008 Institute of Credit Management Awards.
5. In both 2008 and 2009 Lowell Group has been ranked No. 1 in an index of all the main credit management and debt collection companies in the UK, prepared by industry consultants OC&C. The index takes into account both past performance and future strategy. 
6. In 2009 Lowell Group was placed second in the Sunday Times Deloitte league table of Britain’s 100 private equity-backed companies with the fastest growing profits. It also won the inaugural ‘Compliance Team of the Year’ award at the 2009 Credit Today Awards