Short-term property finance provider, Signature Property Finance, has signed former Wales rugby player Scott Quinnell as the firm’s first brand ambassador.
The appointment follows a strong performance in 2021 for the firm, which has offices in Cardiff, Birmingham, Edinburgh and London, selling over £44m in loans to property developers.
After a 15-year career in rugby including 52 caps for Wales and two British & Irish Lions tours, Mr Quinell now works in the media as a commentator and pundit on a number of Sky Sports televised matches.
He has also starred in Sky Sports’ School of Hard Knocks and co-authored the book on business leadership called Leader On The Pitch in 2017.
Chief executive Tony Gilbertson said that Mr Quinell was the ideal brand ambassador for the company and will be a major draw when it finalises its programme of business lunches.
Mr Gilbertson said: “Scott shares our approach to life and business; do what you say you’re going to do, follow through on your promises and always act with integrity. His commitment to everything he does was evident in his rugby and he has transferred his leadership and motivational skills to the commercial world."
He added: “Throughout the year, we expect to get closer to our brokers and understand what they need from us to ensure we deliver another record-breaking year.
“This is about giving something back to the brokers and developers we support. What’s not to love about the opportunity to tell us what we can do to make clients’ lives easier, how we can help brokers get more deals done while enjoying lunch and a few laughs with one of rugby’s greats?”
Aside from his business interests, Mr Quinell is also a patron of ScoutsCymru and raises awareness of the challenges faced by those with dyslexia, having only been diagnosed himself in his early 30s.
He said: “This is a great opportunity to spread the word that despite dyslexia, you can be a success. I think the transition from sport to business is relatively easy. Many of the same rules apply and you have to be dedicated, listen to the advice from those around you and deliver on what is expected from you.”
He added: “This all made for an easy decision, especially when I met the Signature CEO Tony, who is another proud Welshman, driven by a passion to get things done and always following through on promises made at the outset.
“I look forward to meeting Signature’s clients and prospects for lunch and a few laughs in the months ahead.”