Behind every successful company these days, there usually lurks a friendly Rottweiler – someone who is firm but fair, is usually happy to stay in the background, but whose contribution to the smooth running of the operation is invaluable. We asked Carol Seery some searching questions.
- 1: What is your role at Johnson Reed and how has it changed over the years?
- 2: Over the last 12 months, what was the biggest challenge you had to face with regards to supplying financing?
- 3: Which area of the specialist finance sectors that Johnson Reed deals with has seen the largest growth over the last 12 months?
- 4: What does a typical day involve for you at Johnson Reed?
- 5: What’s the main reason businesses don’t get finance, and what can they do in order to improve their likelihood of getting finance?
- 6: What was your proudest moment at Johnson Reed?
- 7: What motivates you?
- 8: Why do you think that equipment finance is even more important in this economic climate?
- 9: Is there anything that you would like see changed that would help Johnson Reed and the finance industry?
- 10: What was your favourite event over the last year and why?
- 11: What do you like to do in your spare time?
I’m Operations Director – I like to think that over the years I have learnt aspects of all areas of how Johnson Reed runs its business. I started off as Office Manager and my role has grown and developed as more challenges were put my way.
Sourcing good quality funders is always on going, but Johnson Reed is good at this.
I wouldn’t say any particular sector has grown more than another. We are obviously very involved in many, such as catering, fitness, leisure and general IT and software.
A typical day involves a lot of accounting and figure work, along with the running of our own lending book and making the office tick! By knowing a lot of how the business runs enables me to step into other staff roles in their absence.
First, our acceptances are very high as a norm but businesses need to think and plan more before committing to three or five years of finance, especially if they have adverse credit. It amazes me that people with adverse credit approach us for finance.
There were two. The first was when Mark invited me to become a director of the company in 2006, proving his trust in me, and the second was last year when I reached my ten-year anniversary – a milestone for anybody these days!
Steady and happy employment motivates me to always want to do my best at work. Outside of work I want to be able to enjoy anything I do.
Businesses need to be able to budget and use their cash resources for emergencies. Equipment leasing helps them to spread certain costs over a period of time, which will obviously help their cash flow.
We are looking forward to new rules and regulations due in 2014 that will ensure the industry operates with a level playing field.
Seeing Manchester City win the premiership. I’m not a big City fan but it was nice to see the blue half of Manchester celebrating for a change!
I love to travel and have been fortunate enough to visit some fantastic places worldwide, but there are still so many more countries yet to visit.
Carol feels that she has grown through the recession with Johnson Reed and she’s looking forward to continuing to help our clients to grow, with new equipment purchases, as well. As far as the future is concerned, she says that she intends to stay at the forefront of the company for many years to come. We look forward to her contribution too, in helping Johnson Reed to remain so successful in the financing industry. And we can assure everyone that, however difficult her job may be, she won’t actually bite your head off.
