Ratan Daryani
Executive Chairman and Founder
Ratan is the entrepreneur who inspires the business using his extensive commercial experience.
This came from senior roles at The Body Shop and Virgin Group and other executive and non-executive positions.
His focus is on the strategy, growth and future direction of Rivers.
Michael Friend
Non-Executive Director
Michael is a non-executive director who has been qualified as a solicitor for over 25 years.
He has also worked at CEO level in public companies and been involved in M&A’s and finance raising activities.
His legal brain plus his commercial experience allows him to ask those questions that keep Rivers on the right path.
Stephen Bassett
Non-Executive Director
Stephen is also a non-executive director. He has held senior executive roles in a number of well-known and sizeable asset
finance businesses and has recently retired as MD of Arkle Finance a subsidiary of Wetherbys Bank. His address book is a
who’s who of our industry and like Michael is never afraid of asking the right questions.
Rishi Shah
Business Operations Director
Rishi is the stalwart of the Rivers team making sure the daily operational aspects of the business run smoothly.
His expertise covers contact with our brokers and customers and includes the underwriting function, payouts and customer service.
Ravi Kanthan
Chief Accountant
Ravi’s role is much wider than his 25 years accounting experience. He oversees the financial controls as well as driving
operational efficiencies through his extensive knowledge of our systems. At the heart of his activities is his contribution in
delivering great service to our customers and introducers.
Al Shields
Business Development Manager
Al is our trusted Business Development Manager, who joined the team in 2021 with nearly 40 years’ experience in asset finance.
Having worked on both the brokerage and finance side of the leasing industry, he brings both empathy and understanding to his
work while the value he places on working relationships makes him a valued colleague and business partner.
Peter Jamison
Head of Block Discounting
Peter has worked in asset finance for almost 50 years, combining experience in finance firms with time spent in brokerages, and
time at Seneca Capital where he headed up the block discounting business. He has extensive experience working in block discounting
and has been instrumental in establishing the structure of the specialised incubator block discounting service at Rivers Leasing.
Ian Mills
Business Development Manager – Corporate Loans
Ian joined the team at Rivers following more than 30 years in business finance, including an illustrious career at Natwest. He has enjoyed a particular focus on alternative finance since 2017 and is passionate about proactively helping businesses to achieve their growth goals by delivering the right finance product and exceptional, personalised customer service.