CarMoney North West celebrates milestone year with new hire and growth ambitions.

A year after taking the leap to launch their own business, experienced automotive finance professionals Mel White and Claire Kelsall are marking the first anniversary of CarMoney North West with their first hire and plans to expand.

Having worked together since 2007 in other finance firms, the duo decided it was time to go it alone when the opportunity to join CarMoney’s new franchise model presented itself last year. Mel had recently been made redundant, and when CarMoney approached her about running the North West franchise, the timing felt right. She brought Claire on board, and the two hit the ground running.

One year on, with a strong foothold in key areas including Cheshire, Staffordshire and Greater
Manchester, they’re preparing to welcome a full-time business development manager to help take the operation to the next level.

Mel White, director of CarMoney North West, commented: “Setting up on our own was a big decision, but it’s definitely been the right one. We’re not just building a business; we’re shaping something around the kind of service and flexibility that dealers and customers want. Having the backing of the CarMoney brand, the Peter Vardy Group and a hugely competitive lender panel has made a massive difference to our service offering since we launched a year ago.”

CarMoney, part of the Peter Vardy Group, launched its franchise model in 2024 to allow experienced professionals to take ownership of regional operations while benefiting from central support, established systems, and access to an extensive lender panel, many of which are exclusive to CarMoney.

For Mel and Claire, the combination of this backing and their own long-standing industry experience has allowed them to offer something different in an increasingly automated sector.

Director Claire Kelsall, added: “We’re really proud of the personal service we offer, which is what we believe sets us apart from our competitors. We know the industry inside and out, and while some aspects are becoming more digital and hands-off, we believe there’s real value in sitting alongside dealers, working through deals, and finding ways to make them happen. Years of working together in automotive finance enable us to take a broader view of affordability and find options where others might say no. Flexibility is a key attribute to our service offering.”

The pair also credit their success to transparency and communication. From the outset, they ensured that customers understood the recent changes regarding commission disclosure and adopted the shift towards clearer, more transparent processes. Combined with their access to a broader lending panel, this has enabled them to remain resilient during what has been a challenging time for the motor finance industry.

Looking ahead, Mel and Claire are focused on maximising growth in their region, bringing in more independent dealerships and exploring future expansion opportunities.

Mel added: “We’ve proven the model works, and we’re now in a strong position to build on that. The ambition has always been there. Now that we have the foundation, the next step is scaling up without losing the personal approach that sets us apart.

“As a team, we’re immensely proud of what we’ve achieved in our first year of operation. It’s not only a business milestone for us but a sign of what’s possible with the right mix of experience, entrepreneurial spirit and brand support.”

To learn more, visit www.carmoney.co.uk
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Pictured: (left to right) Alastair Grier, CEO of CarMoney, Mel White, Wendy Taylor, head of franchise at CarMoney), Claire Kelsall and Peter Vardy, CEO of Peter Vardy Global.