Simon joined the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) as their Head of Asset Finance in 2014. In 2021 he became Director of Advocacy. He is responsible for the FLA Asset Finance Division and the cross-organisational advocacy work that the FLA undertakes. This includes representing asset finance members to government and the regulators, developing relationships with stakeholders, overseeing the FLA’s asset finance policy work and ensuring that they have a joined-up advocacy programme that demonstrates their members contribution to the UK, so that they can raise their profile and influence public policy. Simon’s background is in public affairs and communications. Previously, he worked for membership bodies and the commercial sector, including the Chartered Institute of Taxation, the Association of Consultancy and Engineering. LexisNexis and in leading market research agencies. He has also been named one of the top 100 UK lobbyists. When he is not working, he and his wife raise two children and one cat. The jury is still out on which species is the easier to guide through life.   This episode is sponsored by global membership events app RD mobile RD Mobile | Virtual Event Platform and Member Engagement App (resultsdirect.com)