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Joachim Otto has been appointed to lead the German arm of Close Brothers Asset Finance.

Otto (pictured) joins from IKB Leasing and is a leasing specialist with more than 30 years’ experience in the industry. His background includes sales and sales management; business development and general management.

Steve Gee, CEO of Close Brothers Asset Finance’s industrial equipment division, said: “We are delighted to welcome Joachim to the team. His considerable experience and knowledge of the German leasing market make him perfectly placed to lead our team and help them continue to grow.”

The German business is based in Mainz and was launched in 2017 to offer flexible and tailored funding solutions for businesses in the construction, manufacturing and print sectors.

Gee added: “Getting someone of Joachim’s calibre to join the team speaks volumes about the progress we have made in Germany and we are looking forward to continuing to make an impact in this key market.”

Otto said: “I am looking forward to this new challenge with Close Brothers Asset Finance. The team has made great progress since launching, offering its German customers tailored finance solutions that fit their individual requirements.”