The financial services sector has seen a wave of key appointments across the industry, each signalling a renewed focus on leadership, innovation, and regulatory readiness.
Lantern Group, a leading UK debt management and financial services company, has announced three strategic senior appointments as part of its commitment to growth, innovation and customer-centric service delivery.
Joining Lantern’s C-suite, Charlotte Symonds brings two decades of experience across financial services, including senior roles at Nottingham Building Society and Yorkshire Building Society. She will play a central role in implementing the company’s strategic vision, improving operational performance, and enhancing service delivery.
Her remit includes driving sustainable long-term growth while maintaining the high standards customers expect, alongside expanding Lantern’s national presence and strengthening its technology offering to reach broader demographics.
With 18 years’ industry experience, Charmaine Bonnaire will spearhead the development of Lantern’s relationship management ecosystem. Her focus will be on strengthening partnerships across BPO and debt-purchase servicing activities, unlocking collaboration opportunities and delivering enhanced value for both new and existing clients.
In a newly created position, Scott Forster will shape and amplify Lantern’s brand narrative. Drawing on extensive experience in brand strategy, corporate communications, and reputation management, he will align marketing, PR, internal communications, and stakeholder engagement under a unified strategy designed to build trust and credibility.
Since joining Tandem, CEO Neil Chandler has prioritised building a leadership team equipped for the bank’s next phase of growth. Recent appointments include Russell Strevens as Chief Technology Officer (subject to regulatory approval) and David Shrimpton Davis as Managing Director of Motor Finance.
Heaps, a chartered accountant with more than 15 years’ experience in senior finance roles, joined Tandem in 2022 following its acquisition of Oplo, where he had served as Head of Finance since 2018. Since arriving, he has played a key role in shaping strategic direction, and his promotion highlights Tandem’s commitment to developing leadership talent from within.
Speaking on his appointment, Heaps said he was proud to take on the role at a pivotal moment for the bank, citing its transformation journey and focus on sustainable growth, responsible finance, and customer-centric products. Chandler added that Heaps’ deep understanding of the business, customers, and strategy made him the natural choice.
Since stepping into a board-level role in 2023, Adam has expanded his remit from technical finance into strategic leadership, building a reputation for commercial insight, decisive judgment, and a strong focus on sustainable growth. Over the past two years, he has played an influential role in shaping business performance and direction, positioning him for his next chapter as Chief Financial Officer at The Risk Advisory Group.
Not the usual ‘mover’ featured in our new appointments piece, but a move worth noting: Lantern has opened a flagship head office in Leeds city centre, signalling a major step in its growth and reflecting wider sector investment trends.
CEO Paul Mason described the move as more than a relocation, calling it “a powerful statement about who we are and where we’re heading.” He noted that as demand for Lantern’s services grows, the new space provides the platform needed to support more clients, help more customers, and continue building a purpose-driven business positioned for the future.
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