Provident Financial taps former Amigo boss to head up consumer credit division

Sub-prime lender Provident Financial named Hamish Paton as the new managing director of its consumer credit division on Wednesday.

Paton, the former chief executive of Amigo Holdings, will take over from Chris Gillespie, who will join H&T Group, an AIM-listed pawnbroker.

Provident stated that Paton had a "strong" consumer finance background and "excellent" sector knowledge, having also served as chief executive of BrightHouse from 2016 to 2019.

Paton will join Provident on 14 September, with Gillespie leaving on 31 August.

Chief executive Malcolm Le May said: "I look forward to welcoming Hamish Paton when he joins Provident Financial. His extensive sector experience, and existing knowledge of our customer base, make him the ideal person to continue the work needed to get CCD back to a position of strength and profitability."

As of 0925 BST, Provident shares were down 1.36% at 173.81p.