Meet the Team

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

Sales 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.

Graham Westwood

Operations Director

Octane Ltd AA Dealer Promise

Background

Graham started his career in the London, working for Investment Banks and International Brokers. Which enabled him to work abroad in countries such as Dubai and France. He began his career in Motor Trade five years ago and has specialised in Car and Asset finance ever since.

Personal Life

Graham is Engaged to Roxie, and enjoys spending holidays in Ibiza where he is getting Married next year. Graham enjoys a round of golf at the weekends when he isn't working!

Business Development Managers

Kelly Nolan

Business Development Manager

Octane Ltd AA Dealer Promise

Background

Kelly has been a Business Development Manager for over 10 years. Most recently working in the media industry with a large proportion of her clients being in the motor industry! Customer service has always been her key strength and recognising client's needs.

With these skills and her knowledge of the motor industry, she decided to jump ship and joined Octane in March 2019.

Personal Life

Kelly is a mum to her 11 year old son Kai, which see's most of her time spent around a football pitch! She describes herself as a ""social butterfly' so when she's not on mum duties, Kelly enjoys spending time with her friends over good food, a large glass of Red!

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.

Ross Carcary

Business Development Manager

Octane Ltd AA Dealer Promise

Background

Ross is successful graduate of the Santander Consumer Finance academy scheme, this gave him a great grounding into the motor finance world. He has also spent time in retail banking and commercial insurance. Ross has now been in,

business development or account management roles for over 10 years, his main focus is always on meeting customers needs and delivering on promises

Personal Life

Ross lives in Hilton in Derby with his partner Charlotte. Away from work you will more than likely find him on the golf course (handicap of 6) or singing from the stands of Villa park.

Ian Francombe

Business Development 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!

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.

Sales Support Team

Oli Shephard

Business Manager

Octane Ltd AA Dealer Promise

Background

Oli is new to the motor industry having worked in the shipping industry for more than 10 years, after returning from Hong Kong where he oversaw sales teams throughout the Asia Pacific region. He brings a wealth of sales experience and an

entrepreneurial acumen which will stand him in good stead to adapt to the day to day challenges the motor industry poses.

Personal Life

Oli is a big sport enthusiast, when he isn't watch Arsenal or the England Rugby team he is planning his next overseas adventure having visited over 30 countries already he's always looking for a new and different place to experience.

Jamie Hoare

Business Manager

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.

Rob Wood

Business Manager

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.

Ben Harmer

Business Manager

Octane Ltd AA Dealer Promise

Background

Ben is fairly new to the industry having worked as an Export Manager in the shipping industry for over 10 years.Having worked his way up from a junior position to Manager in a few years Ben brings to the team a number of transferable skills.

Personal Life

Ben enjoys socialising with friends and family particularly going to try new restaurants & bars.Also an avid footballer Ben plays in a competitive 5 a side league each week.

Victoria Broom

Business Manager

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.

Alasdair Barclay

Business Manager

Octane Ltd AA Dealer Promise

Background

Alasdair has worked in vehicle finance for 12 years, underwriting for a variety of lenders and brokers. He has setup the underwriting department for the company that went on to be Europe's Fastest Growing Company 2019.


Personal Life

Alasdair is big Rugby fan and enjoys socialising.

Darren Godfrey

New Business Manager

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.