The National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers (NACFB) has announced the first apprentice to be developed through its Hitachi Capital Business Finance sponsored scheme. 

Martin Nield, from Berkhamsted, has spent his first day of the scheme at the NACFB’s offices in London; he is now on a six-month rotation at Hitachi Capital’s offices in Staines upon Thames, which started on 4 January 2016.

In the summer Nield will be back with the NACFB for a month before going on to a five-month stint with a broker.

Nield, who has a Masters in Business Studies, was selected by a panel with representatives from both the NACFB and Hitachi Capital.

He said: “I was attracted to the position by the opportunity to learn multiple aspects of commercial finance from the inside and out and the opportunity to learn whilst doing the job. There is going to be a lot to learn, but I’m really looking forward to the next year.”

Hitachi Capital Business Finance has committed to cover the cost of the training for a 12-month period which includes a six month in-house position at Hitachi Capital Business Finance’s office in Staines, and six months with a commercial finance broker. This will be supplemented with day release sessions on a regular basis with the NACFB in London.

At the end of the training programme, the individual will be equipped with the necessary skills to set up their own venture, or join an existing brokerage at an experienced level.

Adam Tyler, chief executive of the NACFB said: “This is a very valuable initiative by our Association and Hitachi Capital Business Finance, working together to bring on a new generation of commercial finance brokers. Martin Nield will be the first of many new brokers who will enter the market fully trained at the highest level, and the effects of this initiative will, in time, be felt by lenders and Britain’s small businesses alike.”

In addition to the joint initiative with the NACFB, Hitachi Capital Business Finance also run their own National Apprenticeship Scheme and have recently welcomed four new individuals to its offices in Staines upon Thames.

Gavin Wraith-Carter, general manager at Hitachi Capital Business Finance, added: “We are committed to investing in apprentices and are excited to have the opportunity to further invest in the development of new talent for the broker marketplace. We are delighted to welcome all our new apprentices and we have a structured rotation programme that ensures that they can start their careers with a recognised qualification.

“It is vital we continue to support apprenticeships and hope the industry will continue to get behind the serious talent coming through.”