Meet the Reality Finance Team

Jon Leslie

Managing Director

Jon established Reality Finance in 2000 with co-founder James Cashmore and has been a tour-de-force for the business ever since. With over 30 years’ banking and asset finance experience after careers at Barclays, Bank of Scotland and in independent IT broking, he brings telling focus and unrivalled expertise to our offering.

Responsible for steering our relationships with our panel of funders, Jon also manages our sales support teams and is pivotal in implementing our strategic policy. He also works closely with James and middle management to ensure the wellbeing of the business from a financial and operational perspective, helping to strengthen our position as a best-of-breed asset finance specialist.

James Cashmore

Commercial Director

As a co-founder of Reality Finance, James is the creative visionary behind our operation, with the energy and people skills that have helped define our raison d’être and fuel our mission. After starting out in banking, when he was fast-tracked onto Lloyds TSB’s management training programme, James moved into finance sales before working in IT finance, partnering with vendors to supply end-users with software funding.

Obsessive about customer service and with an unquenchable team ethic, James is responsible for steering our key vendor relationships, as well as sales in our direct business. He also works to develop our topline business strategy, bringing it to realisation alongside our other directors.

Ed Barnes

Head of Direct Sales

With over 15 years’ experience as an asset finance relationship manager for Lloyds Banking Group, Barclays and HBOS, Ed joined us in 2011, bringing tried-and-tested management, sales and account handling skills to our direct sales business. Resourceful and quick thinking, Ed works hand-in-hand with new clients to develop enduring strategic partnerships, while also providing solutions to our existing clients.

Neil Whitear

Sales Manager

With over two decades in the finance industry, Neil commenced his career at Dutch Bank ING and as of 2023, celebrating his 18th year with Reality Finance.

In his role as Sales Manager, he directs a versatile team of brokers in cultivating and sustaining relationships with vendors and customers, whilst upholding the organisational values and principles that define Reality Finance. Over the years, Neil has built robust and enduring relationships across diverse industry verticals, from multinational companies to local independent businesses.

Jason Turner

Business Development Manager

With over 30 years of experience in Finance and leasing, Jason has also run a successful IT business where over 90% of sales were Lease driven. Before starting at Reality Finance in 2016, Jason was Partner Sales Manager at Syscap.

Now at Reality, Jason specialises in helping on-premise and SaaS technology vendors win more sales, develop client retention, and reduce time to profit through tailored funding programmes.

Annie Plaskett

Marketing Manager

Annie started working at Reality Finance in July 2017 and works alongside Ed Barnes and the rest of the team, focusing on customer service and communications.

Simon Humphreys

Business Development Manager

Simon joined Reality in 2014, starting in our Admin support team. Since moving over to our business development team in 2018 Simon has developed new and existing relationships with suppliers and customers alike.

Richard McGrath

Business Development Manager

Richard is a Specialist Asset Finance Broker with over 20+ years of experience, 10+ with Reality Finance where he arranged/s finance for clients in acquiring plant, machinery, vehicles, IT hardware & software, fit-out finance, and premises renovation.

Richard now heads the Commercial Drone and Aviation vertical market specializing in funding for drones used in a wide range of industries and leads with a strong focus on building long-term relationships with clients and trusted supplier partners.

richard@realityfinance.com

01483 413866

07739 732898