The National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers has confirmed the appointment of John Kent and Marc Champ as broker directors, following a vote by their fellow broker board directors.

The move is intended to reinforce broker representation at board level, drawing on experience from across the commercial property finance spectrum.

Kent (pictured, left) brings a background in the appointed representative network space, while Champ (pictured, right) offers experience from specialist property finance broking. Both will attend their first board meeting later this week.

Kent is managing director of White Rose Finance Group, where he has overseen the growth of a UK-wide appointed representative network of commercial finance brokers and led accredited professional training initiatives.

Champ is founder and managing director of Wharf Financial Services, a specialist property finance brokerage, and has more than 20 years’ experience arranging funding across bridging, development finance, buy-to-let and complex commercial lending.

The pair replace the roles and expertise previously held by Adrian Coles and Steve Olejnik, whose interim tenures concluded at the end of 2025.

Kent said: “I recognise this as an incredible opportunity to work with a highly talented group of professionals.

“I’m looking forward to working collaboratively to help shape the future of the NACFB and build on its positive influence within the commercial finance sector.”

Champ also commented: “Having benefited hugely from the NACFB throughout my career, I’m excited to give something back.

“I’ll bring passion, real-world perspective and a commitment to ensuring the Association continues to lead from the front.”

Jim Higginbotham, chief executive of the NACFB, added: “John and Marc were selected because they bring insight, credibility and real-world experience from two different ends of the property finance spectrum.

“Together, they offer a valuable combination of strategic network insight and frontline brokerage expertise.

“Their perspectives will strengthen board-level decision-making and help ensure the NACFB continues to reflect how the market is actually operating on the ground.”

Simon Featherstone, chair of the NACFB, added: “A strong board is one that brings together a plurality of views and lived experience.

“Our Members operate across a wide range of products, firm structures and client types, and it’s vital that diversity of perspective is reflected at board level.

“John and Marc will help ensure the NACFB continues to represent brokers, lenders and the full breadth of intermediary business models across the commercial finance landscape.”

EXPO RETURNS TO NEC

The appointments follow the arrival earlier this year of Nova Everidge of Metro Bank and Jon Wilcox of Lloyds Bank as patron directors, strengthening lender representation alongside the broker voice.

The announcement also coincides with the opening of registration for the NACFB Commercial Finance Expo 2026, which will return to Hall 3A of Birmingham’s NEC on Wednesday 10 June 2026.

According to the Association, NACFB member brokers originated an estimated £27 billion of commercial lending in 2024, highlighting the scale of intermediary-led finance across the UK SME economy. Updated findings from its latest broker and lender surveys are due to be published later this month.