Morses makes board appointment

Non-standard financial services provider, Morses Club has announced the appointment of Sir Nigel Knowles as Chair of the Board with effect from 1st March 2022, subject to FCA approval.

Stephen Karle will retire on 28 February 2022 from his position as Chair and Non-Executive Director, after seven years.

Knowles, who has been Morses Club’s Senior Independent Director since May 2016, is CEO of global legal firm DWF Group PLC. The former Global Co-Chairman and Senior Partner of DLA Piper, Knowles is credited with DLA Piper’s remarkable growth, leading the firm through a series of mergers and taking the firm from its regional origins to become a leading global firm. He received a knighthood in 2009 in recognition of his services to the legal industry. Sheryl Lawrence, who joined the Morses Club Board in May 2021, will take up the position of Senior Independent Director.

Karle has been Chair of Morses Club since January 2015. He led the business through its successful IPO and supported its transition from a pure home collected credit provider to its current position as a market-leading provider of non-standard credit. After seven years as Chair, Karle has decided to retire at the end of this financial year.

Morses Club also announces the retirement of Andy Thomson from the Board as an NED. Andy has worked with Morses Club for the last twelve years and was appointed CFO in 2016, before stepping down in July 2019. Andy remained on the Board as a non-executive director and stepped back in to support Morses Club as interim CFO in March 2020 for seven months. Following a period of ill-health in 2020, Thomson has decided to retire and will leave the Board on 31st December 2021.

Sir Nigel Knowles, incoming Chairman of Morses Club, said “I have worked with Stephen and Andy for the last five years and they have both played a significant role in the development of Morses Club. Their leadership, commitment and understanding of the business have been invaluable. On behalf of the Board, we would like to extend our sincere thanks to Stephen and Andy for their contribution to the business and wish them both a long and happy retirement.”

“I am delighted to have been appointed Chair of Morses Club. I look forward to driving the continued growth of the business as it consolidates its position as the UK’s largest HCC provider and seeks to capitalise on the growing success of its digital division to reach its full potential.”