Dale Cowdell is director of Debt Finance at OakNorth and has been in position for just under four and a half years.
IN ONE SENTENCE, WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE? Helping entrepreneurs achieve their objectives by providing bespoke funding solutions at the right time. At OakNorth, we’re a bank built by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, so my role is all about understanding the ambitions of business leaders across the Midlands and supporting them with tailored lending that helps them grow and succeed.
PLEASE GIVE A BRIEF SUMMARY OF YOUR PROFESSIONAL CAREER TO DATE. After finishing my studies at Loughborough University, I joined the Allied Irish Bank (GB) (AIB) graduate scheme. I worked at AIB for around 15 years across relationship management and business development roles. In 2021, I joined OakNorth, where over the last four and a half years we’ve been supporting ambitious entrepreneurs in the Midlands with their growth aspirations.
At OakNorth, we’re focused on empowering the UK’s lower mid-market — businesses typically with turnover between £1m and £100m — that are scaling but often underserved or overlooked by traditional lenders.
DID FURTHER/HIGHER EDUCATION SET YOU UP WELL FOR YOUR PARTICULAR VOCATION? Firstly, it helped me with managing my own time, achieving a goal and was a great life experience generally. Secondly it gave me a chance to join a graduate scheme which give me enhanced training and opportunity.
HOW IS YOUR JOB IMPACTED BY UNCERTAINTIES IN THE ECONOMY? Our job is lending money for a variety of different reasons but mainly to help a business grow. Growth plans of a business can be partly impacted by confidence in the economy, meaning demand for finance can fluctuate.
At OakNorth, we don’t stop lending in more challenging conditions, instead, we work closely with our clients to understand their plans and provide the tailored funding they need to navigate uncertainty and pursue opportunities. Our focus is always on backing strong management teams and resilient business models, regardless of the broader economic climate.
WHAT’S YOUR VIEW OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE – AN OPPORTUNITY, THREAT, OR BIT OF BOTH? Generally, it’s a big opportunity. In our role, we use it to be more efficient in what we do and speed up processes where we can. Despite its benefits, we still ensure that people are at the centre of our decisions.
We’ve partnered with OpenAI to further embed AI across the business, from improving operational efficiency to enhancing the quality and speed of our decision-making. Like other major technological advances over the years, AI will reshape how businesses operate, but with the right balance of innovation and human insight, it’s a tremendous opportunity for growth and progress.
SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM OF CHOICE, AND WHY? Instagram….. for the memes!
HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR CAREER SO FAR? I don’t have one single standout moment, but it’s always hugely rewarding to see management teams across Birmingham and the wider Midlands achieve their ambitions with our support. It’s equally satisfying to help fund projects that enhance local communities and strengthen the regional economy. Seeing the positive impact our lending has on the places where we live and work is a real highlight.
IF YOU COULD GO BACK AND GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF SOME WISE ADVICE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?Be braver, don’t be afraid to make mistakes and grab the opportunities. Also make some wise investments such as Apple and Nvidia!
HOW DO YOU RELAX AWAY FROM WORK? I’m a big fan of travel and always try to have some form of trip booked to look forward too. I’m a big sport fan so an afternoon watching football, cricket or golf is never a wasted afternoon! I’ve recently started playing Padel which is a great way to spend an hour.
YOU CAN TAKE ONE BOOK, ONE FILM AND ONE CD ONTO A DESERT ISLAND – WHAT WOULD THEY BE? Either Lord of the Rings or Godfather as they are both long!
YOUR FIVE DREAM DINNER PARTY GUESTS, DEAD OR ALIVE? I’d like a mixed table so Warren Buffett, David Bowie, JFK, Nancy Wake and Anna Wintour.
