COFFEE BREAK WITH...Ashley Clements - Associate Director - Christie Finance

What was your first job? 

When I was 14, I started working at my uncle’s sausage and black pudding factory during school holidays. I left 6th form early and worked there for 7 months before joining NatWest when I was 17 as a customer service associate. 

In a couple of sentences, can you tell us a bit about your job at Christie Finance?

I provide advice and support to clients on business acquisitions and refinancing. My expertise lies in the retail, care, hospitality, and children and education sectors. As the current retail lead, my role reflects over 16 years of extensive experience in the retail sector within the finance industry.

What’s your favourite thing about Christie Finance?

We work with a diverse range of clients from various backgrounds, supporting everyone from first-time buyers embarking on their business journey or exploring a sector for the first time, to seasoned operators expanding their well-established businesses. The most rewarding aspect of the role is being a vital piece in the puzzle that helps bring their vision to life.

What's a favourite project that you’ve worked on at Christie Finance so far?

I am fortunate enough to have supported lots of different clients but my first ever client will always stand out to me. Having come from a high street bank, my opinions of what was possible in the funding space were restricted by my previous experience. For my first client, I was able to secure funding without any deposit required for the purchase of the business with the transaction being completely forecast led as the vendor of the business would not provide accounts. 

What’s been the biggest challenge of your career so far?

Without being too cliché, COVID. Making the transition to working from home all of the time, my wife having only recently started a new job and both of us working in banking meaning we had to manage our clients who were going through a tough period. We then had a child during COVID and I started a new role. It was just lots of change in a very short period of time! 

What’s been a highlight of your career so far?

Being promoted to Associate Director was a significant milestone for me, and there were several reasons behind it. In large organizations, like high street banks, it’s easy to feel like a small cog in a vast machine. At Christie Finance, while it’s a sizable brokerage, it operates on a much smaller scale compared to a bank, which allows you to see the tangible impact of your efforts on the business. Having this contribution acknowledged and rewarded with a promotion was an incredibly gratifying experience!

Tell us a bit about your life outside work – what are your hobbies?

I spend a lot of time with my family but apart from that, I have a project car that I have been working on for 12 months which now, finally, has an MOT. My wife tells me I have far too many hobbies so won’t bore you with the list!  

What’s your hometown? Where do you live now?

Born and raised in South Birmingham near Solihull. We moved to Stourbridge in 2017 and will never look back! 

Where’s the best place you’ve been on holiday?

Australia, without a doubt. We were looking to move there but COVID put a halt to that. Japan on the cards next year so that may all change though! 

What would be your desert island meal?

I'm a simple man! Chicken wings 

What’s your favourite film?

A film I will never get of watching, Forrest Gump

What is one thing on your bucket list?

I’ve always wanted to sky dive. I am ticking off a couple of bucket list items in the next 12 months with a hot air balloon ride and going to Japan early next year. 

What is your biggest fear?

Spiders – I don’t trust people who like spiders. 

What news source do you read every day?

LBC – I don’t read much news, but I listen to it almost all day, every day. 

What’s your social media platform of choice?

Instagram – I am far too old for TikTok

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