Management Team

Dan Kirby

Managing Director

Octane Ltd AA Dealer Promise

Background

Dan began his motor trade career at Inchcape BMW as an apprentice at the age of 16. Having worked his way around each department from parts, service reception, valeting, workshop & sales, Dan soon developed a great understanding of how a franchised dealer group operated.

At 19 he became the youngest BMW Sales Executive in the network and soon became one of the Cooper BMW's top performers. At 21 Dan opted to leave the PLC to join a local Independent Used Car Dealer. A world away from the million pound showrooms of a BMW dealer, much to the amazement of Dan's piers at the time. However the risk paid off and soon Dan became a pivotal member of this Basildon based Used Car operation.

In 2012 Dan opted to go it alone and started his own, now Award Winning Used Car Dealership. Initially starting out with some 15 cars, he now holds over 300 on site with an annual turnover of £25million, still running to this day.

Octane Finance has been a natural progression, one that Dan felt there was room for in the car finance market. Being able to apply similar principles will ensure Octane Finance grows to be a nationally recognised finance broker.

Personal Life

Dan is married to wife Bethany with 2 young Daughters Harper & Rosie. He enjoys spending quality time with his young family. Football & Motorsport are Dan's passion. Southend United is his club who he has supported for many years, whilst running a team in the UK's premier motorsport series the British Touring Car Championship. A keen racer also himself he has competed in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB and Ginetta Supercup.

Daniel Horner

Commercial Director

Octane Ltd AA Dealer Promise

Background

Daniel has been in the automotive industry for over 15 years, working for franchises such as Vauxhall, Saab, Chevrolet and Citroen and has covered many roles from Sales to Management. In 2013, Daniel joined Santander Consumer Finance as a Business Develop Management to

I always focus onmeeting customers needs and delivering on promises.

Personal Life

Daniel is married to Alexa with 2 children, Harry and Maggie. He enjoys football and boxing and spending time with his young family. He is also enrolled with the Open University, studying for a BA Honours Degree in Business & Management.

Business Development Managers

Ian Francombe

National Sales Manager

Octane Ltd AA Dealer Promise

Background

Ian has worked within the retail motor industry for more than 20 years, for a wide variety of franchises including Audi and Porsche, supplying funding solutions to both private and business clients. After a brief hiatus working in the Automotive digital arena, delivering

high quality software solutions and marketing campaigns Ian returned to the Finance industry, working for a specialist lender before joining Octane.

Personal Life

Ian is married and lives in Kent, ""The Garden of England' and when he's not financing cars he enjoys live music, motorsport and motorcycling, as well as an annual pilgrimage to the Le Mans 24 hour race!

Daniel Sams

Business Development Manager

Octane Ltd AA Dealer Promise

Background

Daniel started his work life after graduating from Buckinghamshire University he moved to New York as a football coach and by 22 he had established a very successful academy and camps programmes. Unable to retain a working visa after 6 years state side Daniel returned

home and dived into the motor trade. Working in sales for Citroen he gained great experience and knowledge for the general workings of the car trade and valuable skills in finance.

Personal Life

Daniel loves to travel and has seen a lot of world already but heading for a new adventure in south America very soon. Daniel lives with his wife Lauren and they love music going to gigs and enjoying every music festival Europe has to offer. Daniel is a die hard Tottenham fan and has a season ticket for their amazing new stadium.

Blake Gustafson

Business Development Manager

Octane Ltd AA Dealer Promise

Background

I have been within the motor industry for 6 years now and have a vast wealth of training in all aspects of the financing of vehicles from underwriting to payout. Going that extra mile is what I always strive to achieve and I'm a strong believer in hard work.

Personal Life

I am a dad of two, my boy is 8 and the apple of my eye & my daughters 6 and can't do wrong (typical Geordie girl attitude) . I am a keen pool player, born & bred Newcastle fan so seen my share of high and lows and step dad to my Yorkshire terrier who consumes what time I have left in my world.

Nicola Graham

Business Development Manager

Octane Ltd AA Dealer Promise

Background

Nicola has now been in Business Development and Account management roles for over 20 years, 7 of those years within the motor trade. Nicola was able to offer advertising and marketing solutions to a variety of dealers from franchise, to large independents and small independents,

working for Cox Automotive and Ebay where she gained a wealth of experience and knowledge of an industry that she has grown to love. Helping dealers grow and maximising profits in an ever challenging world, and priding herself on great customer service and always having a positive attitude.

Personal Life

Nicola lives in Kent with her three children, Sophie, Summer and Olivia, she loves to keep fit and enjoys running and spending time with her family. When she is not doing this Nicola likes her sunny holidays and is keen to visit as many places that she has never been to before.

Neil Jenkins

Business Development Manager

Octane Ltd AA Dealer Promise

Background

Neil has been in the motor industry for 15 years, working in the print and online advertising sector in Wales covering both independent dealers and larger key account franchise dealers. Neil has won many awards during his career, including being the 110% club winner at eBay motors and

"Best in Class" and Oscar awards at Northcliffe Media. Neil is a big believer that Dedication is the key to success.

Personal Life

Neil comes from a Boxing family and helps running a family gym in Wales and has been a 2 times Welsh champion boxer before passing over some of his experience and skills to the next generation by becoming a coach and trainer. When Neil isn't visiting his Dealers he enjoys spending time with his son Finley.

Sales Support Team

Barry Stockwell

Operations Manager

Octane Ltd AA Dealer Promise

Background

Barry has over 3 year's experience in the motor and asset finance industry having set up operations at a competitor. His background is in investment banking, specialising in emerging markets equities sales and trading, where he spent over 10 years with US banking group Citigroup,

before spending time with regional investment banks in Russia and Turkey at Director level and latterly as CEO of the London based operation of Turkish equities and foreign exchange broker, Tera Europe. Barry started his working life as a professional footballer at Leyton Orient Football Club before moving into banking with Barclays and ING Barings. He is excited about being part of the management team and the future growth of Octane Finance.

Personal Life

Barry is married to wife Donna and has 3 wonderful children in Sam, Sophie and Melody. He enjoys spending time with his family, travelling, walking, running as well as performing a few house music mixes as a DJ.

Graham Mansfield

Internal Sales

Octane Ltd AA Dealer Promise

Background

Graham started his Professional Career within the football world for Ipswich Town football Club, where unfortunately a serious back injury forced him into early retirement. With this Graham moved into the Motor industry and has more than 15 years Motor trade experience namely at Jaguar Land rover,

starting off as a Sales Executive to then Transactions Manager and Business Manager for 12 years, also moved over to Mercedes Benz for 3 years as a Business manager. I am a enthusiastic individual, very driven and looking forward to achieving great success with Octane finance.

Personal Life

I am married to my beautiful wife Emma, 21 years this year and still going strong! We have 2 lovely Children Matthew, 15 and Phoebe, 11. Both children are keen on Sports. Phoebe was selected to represent Team GB for their world dance championships in Rome this year. Very proud of both of them.

Kelly Butler

Internal Sales

Octane Ltd AA Dealer Promise

Background

Kelly was head of reception at Southend United Football Club and then became a PA to the director of a main franchise dealer - Mazda.

Personal Life

Kelly has two children Alfie and Darcy whom she spends a lot of her time with outside of work. When she isn't working she is often in the gym or out on the water with her partner and their children on their boat in the River Crouch!

Jamie Hoare

New Business Processor

Octane Ltd AA Dealer Promise

Background

Jamie is an enthusiastic and self-motivated individual with strong interpersonal skills. Highly experienced in Client and Customer facing roles & able to provide a high degree of confidentiality where required. Extensively travelled having worked in the USA and partially educated in Belgium.

Having come from the City with a strong administration background, she was ready for a more demanding and challenging career path.

Personal Life

In her spare time, Jamie enjoys spending time with her family and seeing her friends, whom she is still close with from when she attended school. Jamie likes socialising and meeting new people, however when she isn't out and about, she enjoys relaxing at home on the sofa with her dog.

Victoria Broom

New Business Processor

Octane Ltd AA Dealer Promise

Background

Victoria has now been in the motor industry for over 15 years, starting as an Insurance Claims Advisor for Churchill. Victoria enjoys responsibility so wasn't long before she was managing fraudulent claims and employees audits. Victoria then went onto an Insurance Broker as part of a

Fraud Team before moving back down to Essex where she joined Octane Finance.

Personal Life

Victoria is happily married to husband Tony with 2 children, Georgia and Alfie. Victoria loves sport and will try to get involved in activities with her children. Victoria is helping with Alfie's U12's rugby team and currently training to be a Coach.

Rebecca Fleuty

New Business Processor

Octane Ltd AA Dealer Promise

Background

Rebecca began her career 3 years ago in the commercial finance industry, being actively promoted to a business development manager. Rebecca is new to the motor finance industry but has many transferable skills from the previous experience she holds.

She is very self-motivated, with great customer service skills and a positive attitude.

Personal Life

Rebecca lives at home with her parents in Essex. She enjoys socialising with friends and family outside of work, and also visiting her parents' holiday home in turkey every year. Rebecca is also a massive chocoholic!

Amie Brown

New Business Processor

Octane Ltd AA Dealer Promise

Background

I am new to the motor industry after having worked within the horseracing industry for 8 years while studying at university to obtain a BSc honors degree in Sports Science and physiotherapy.

After working in the same environment for so many years, it was time for a more exciting and challenging career change.

Personal Life

I am currently training to be a retained firefighter & enjoy being active, which is a important part of my life due to being a type 1 diabetic. I'm also a big west ham fan, and enjoy playing football. I love travelling; I have been lucky enough to travel to many places in Europe thanks to the horse racing industry.

Natalie Longman

New Business Processor

Octane Ltd AA Dealer Promise

Background

Natalie has been in the motor industry for the past 5 years working in the accident repair sector. With strong customer service skills, she was nominated for Customer Service Advisor of the year in 2017 and prides herself on customer satisfaction.

Having come from a very busy and demanding area of the industry, she is keen to keep up the pace at Octane Finance.

Personal Life

When she's not at work, she enjoys socialising with friends and family and has a passion for music and everything motor sport.

Rob Wood

Payout Supervisor

Octane Ltd AA Dealer Promise

Background

Rob is also new to the motor industry having worked in the shipping industry for more than 20 years. After working his way up to manager level of a global company in his shipping career he is well equipped to handle the day to day tasks that motor industry has to offer and

Developing strong relationships with company partners.

Personal Life

Rob is married to wife Charlotte and has 2 children, Hallie and Hudson. He enjoys spending as much time as possible with them outside of work. When not doing this he likes to socialise with friends or go throw some darts with his local pub team.

Darren Godfrey

Payout Supervisor

Octane Ltd AA Dealer Promise

Background

Darren has worked in the finance industry for the last 15 years as a mortgage and insurance broker. Having worked in such a heavily regulated industry, treating customers fairly is a core principal and Darren goes the extra mile to ensure his clients are getting

the best deal and will return time after time for their finance needs.

Personal Life

Darren is a father of 3 teenage daughters, Millie, Isabelle & Libby. He enjoys spending time with his daughters when their social calendar allows, socialising with friends, mountain biking, golf, carp fishing and kayaking.

Ricky Horner

Payout Supervisor

Octane Ltd AA Dealer Promise

Background

Ricky has been in the motor industry for 17 years, and has a wealth of knowledge of the used car market. Starting at a family run business since the age of 18 and covered all the aspects from the motor trade.

Personal Life

Ricky is happily married to his wife Georgia. He is a big movie fan and enjoys going to the cinema and loves going away on sunny holidays.

Charles Butler

Business Analyst

Octane Ltd AA Dealer Promise

Background

Charles has always had petrol running through his veins. Having graduated with a degree in motorsport engineering he started his career in the motor trade at Jaguar Land Rover before moving to carwow. Here he joined as an automotive journalist before becoming a commercial data analyst.

Charles joins octane with a wealth of experience which he plans to use to ensure Octane is the market leader in vehicle finance brokering.

Personal Life

Outside of work, you can find Charles engaging in some sort of sport, whether it be football, golf, rugby or squash - he isn't fussy! Charles can also be found regularly at Touring Car events or at the F1 to get his motorsport fix. Charles also has just started an unhealthy financial relationship with his new BMW 335i.

Accounts Team

Graham Corston

Accounts Manager

Octane Ltd AA Dealer Promise

Background

Graham started working in the motor trade at 17 and is coming up to 40 years in the industry. He has worked both in finance and sales admin gaining a wealth of knowledge in that time. His experience has been mostly for main dealers covering a broad range of manufacturers.

Personal Life

Graham has been married to Davina for 21 years with two grown up children, Natasha and William He has a young grand-daughter that he dotes on but bosses him around. He has supported Manchester City for half a century through both the (recently) good and (mostly) bad times. As a member of CAMRA he enjoys visiting various towns and cities exploring their delights.

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