Spotlight On: Katharine Weeden

When did you join ABN AMRO Commercial Finance?

I joined ABN AMRO Commercial Finance in November 2019 and have worked within the Asset Based Lending (ABL) industry for nearly 30 years. I had previously spent 25 years in the commercial finance business of a large high street lender and during my time there worked my way through roles in operations, relationship management and more latterly in business development. More recently, I spent three years working at an ABL Debt Advisory firm which has given me a unique insight into ABL transactions from the clients’ perspective.

Describe your role at ABN AMRO Commercial Finance …

I work with prospective clients to provide Asset Based funding solutions which help management teams to achieve their business goals. Typically these will be businesses with a debt requirement of between £3m-£50m. In order to do this, I engage with a large number of internal stakeholders across the ABN AMRO business including Risk, Relationship Management, collateral teams and Audit, all of whom are pivotal in ensuring we optimise the client experience. My role involves constantly developing a network of key introducers and ensuring they are aware of ABN AMRO’s offering and that they understand our particular strengths around our cross border capabilities and strong Green credentials.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

I genuinely enjoy talking to people, particularly people who are passionate about what they do. There is a great sense of achievement in getting to know and understand a business. I enjoy being instrumental in providing the funding that allows management teams to realise their business strategies - in good times as well as in these more challenging conditions. That could be through organic growth or through acquisitions, or to support management teams through events such as buy outs or re-capitalisations.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

Where appropriate, ABL facilities give clients access to liquidity secured on the assets within their balance sheet. These often generate a debt quantum in excess of that which they could generate on a traditional leverage basis and provides facilities which are covenant light and generally at a lower margin.

What’s the biggest value-add your role brings to clients?

Where appropriate, ABL facilities give clients access to liquidity secured on the assets within their balance sheet. These often generate a debt quantum in excess of that which they could generate on a traditional leverage basis and provides facilities which are covenant light and generally at a lower margin.

What's the best way to start the work week?

Lots and lots and lots of coffee and a head start on the week’s home schooling.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Ordinarily I love spending time with my family and friends - you can’t beat a good natter over a coffee and I can’t wait to get back to that. I enjoy watching murder mysteries with my eldest daughter (my Netflix account looks like I am training to be a serial killer!) I have always enjoyed walking our eight year old Labrador cross (Baxter) and as you can imagine he is very happy to be getting longer and more frequent walks given the current situation. At the weekend I love heading out on bike rides with my husband and youngest daughter and joining in the Sunday night Zoom quiz with our friends.

What is on your bucket list?

To visit all 50 states in the USA (although this may be slightly more challenging in the short term). I have visited approximately 25 (got engaged in Illinois and married in California) and still have some of the best ones like Alaska and Hawaii left to see. I’d also love to run a rescue and re-homing centre for dogs (I am a proper dog-botherer!).

What was your dream job as a child?

When I was a child I wanted to be a ballerina but I didn’t dance and then I wanted to be a nurse but decided it was just too mucky.

What makes your heart beat faster?

Watching my six year old on the high bar at gymnastics; speaking to my 21 year old just before she completed the Harbour Bridge Climb in Sydney; or being persuaded down an unpisted black run when skiing with my husband.