Which leaders inspire you for International Leadership Week?

Coinciding with International Leadership Week, our Senior Leadership Team have been working hard on developing a future strategic direction that could benefit thousands of B2B SMEs with access to new funding. We asked the team to share their favourite quotes that inspire and drive them in how they lead the company and their teams.

Ant Persse, Chief Executive Officer

“The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” Steve Jobs

Ant is our spearhead in changing how invoice finance works for SMEs. His passion for helping businesses succeed and knowing that there could be a better way drives us to expand and innovate invoice finance in a simple, secure, and convenient way.

Lynn-Marie Jameson, Chief Commercial Officer

"To be a pioneer is to stand on a shore and look out to a land no one can see, know there are dangers we cannot imagine...and set forth anyway." Simon Sinek

LM leads our sales team, speaking with potential clients and sharing the benefits and possibilities of invoice finance. It’s a funding option that many people we talk to haven’t considered or know much about. Our experience lets us lead the way on businesses’ journeys into accessing a new source of funding.

Claire Lewis, Chief Operating Officer

“Find the right people to work with and you can’t go wrong” Richard Branson

Claire’s leadership style works on respect that she outwardly demonstrates towards the whole team. Claire genuinely cares about everyone at Optimum and our success. Ultimately this comes back to the business as staff reciprocate by being efficient and effective.

Vicky Williams, Chief Financial Officer

“You don’t lose if you get knocked down; you lose if you stay down.” Muhammed Ali

Vicky is a problem solver. She finds there is much more value in looking forward than fixating on something in the past. Her financial planning has helped us have clear growth targets for the future.

Gordon McIntosh, Chief Technical Officer

“People who are right a lot, listen a lot. And people who are right a lot, change their mind a lot.” Amazon leadership principle “Are right, a lot”

Gordon leads our tech team currently developing our systems to make invoice finance accessible to more businesses than ever before. He uses the Amazon “Are right, a lot” principle by first listening to the needs, wants, and challenges of our clients and then delivering solutions in an agile environment where customer’s requirements and technological improvements can often change quickly.