Meet The Team
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Matthew Smart
Founder / Managing Director
Following work as Farm Finance Area Manager at European Bank, BNP Paribas, Matthew decided to set up on his own 11 years ago.
From a local Cambridge farming family, Matthew stayed true to his roots and completed his secondary education in Cambridge. He then continued his studies at Sussex University in Brighton.
Matthew still lives close to the family farm in Cambridge with his wife and two young daughters.
He states the birth of the girls as his proudest moments and, in his spare time, likes to partake in country pursuits such as shooting. He also enjoys winding up Leanne and Geoff whenever he can!
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Matthew Smart
Founder / Managing Director
Following work as Farm Finance Area Manager at European Bank, BNP Paribas, Matthew decided to set up on his own 11 years ago.
From a local Cambridge farming family, Matthew stayed true to his roots and completed his secondary education in Cambridge. He then continued his studies at Sussex University in Brighton.
Matthew still lives close to the family farm in Cambridge with his wife and two young daughters.
He states the birth of the girls as his proudest moments and, in his spare time, likes to partake in country pursuits such as shooting. He also enjoys winding up Leanne and Geoff whenever he can!
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Lucy Smart
Director / Company Secretary
Email:
lucy@ecf.uk.comAfter leaving school, Lucy studied Animal Care at Milton College of Agriculture and Horticulture. She then worked for five years as a Zoo Keeper, specialising in exotic birds and reptiles. The most rewarding part of the job was hand rearing abandoned baby animals, which included owls and a leopard! Lucy left the Zoo to work as a medical buyer for a pharmaceutical wholesaler, before leaving in 2000 to set up ECF with Matthew.
Lucy enjoys spending time with her family and friends and caring for her 'menagerie' at home. Her interests include travel, wildlife, eating out and making novelty birthday cakes for children. -
Geoff Barrett
Business Development Manager
Geoff recently joined the team at ECF after 29 years at Lely, where he was involved with the development of the business. As UK Sales Manager he spent a great deal of time on the road. Before joining Lely he completed a five year agricultural apprenticeship.
Geoff is a proud father - he and his girlfriend have two girls and two boys. In his spare time he enjoys socialising, but time with his family is always his top priority. He is passionate about football, and sport in general, spending as little time as possible supporting Manchester United!
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Leanne Green
Area Manager
Leanne has a strong financial, agricultural and sales background - all of which are important qualities for her role at ECF. Previously, Leanne worked as an Underwriter for a finance company and a Sales Coordinator in agricultural finance.
Leanne studied Animal Care at the Cambridge College of Agriculture and Horticulture, gaining a National Diploma.
Leanne is very close to her brother and, in her spare time, plays football for the Bury Girls & Ladies FC. She also loves diving and holds a PADI Advanced Diving Certificate. Leanne very much enjoys travelling and has been to Australia three times as well as Thailand, the Greek Islands and most of Europe. She is delighted to have ventured to Australia and Hong Kong for six months by herself!
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Mary McKenna
Operations Manager
Email:
mary@ecf.uk.comMary has been a part of the ECF team since its inception and, in her role as Operations Manager, is integral to the day to day running of the company.
Already a proud mum Mary had her second child, a daughter, in May 2011.
In her spare time Mary likes socialising, watching movies and spending time with her two lovely labradors.
Well travelled, Mary has already ticked Tobago and Hong Kong off her list of must-see destinations.
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Sue Russell
Accounts
Email:
susan@ecf.uk.comAfter 20 years' working in Accountancy, this is Sue's first role in Asset Finance.
Sue has a very good relationship with her father and a passion for family history - so much so, she does the transcription work for a successful Genealogy website.
Sue recalls one of her most triumphant moments as being able to get onto an aeroplane for a jaunt up to Glasgow without the help of Valium!
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Charlotte Horner
Sales & Operations Coordinator
Email:
charlotte@ecf.uk.comCharlotte joined the team after a role in Marketing and sourcing mobile accessories for Disney.
Charlotte got married in September 2011 and enjoys living on a farm. She has a National Certificate in Animal Management and likes to muck in with all aspects of farming life, from driving tractors to delivering lambs and calves.
An interesting fact about Charlotte is that she has met Chad I Ginsburg and Bam Margera from alternative rock band, CKY!
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Tina Scott
Sales & Operations Coordinator
Email:
tina@ecf.uk.comBefore joining ECF, Tina worked at Claas Finance for nearly 10 years in an internal sales-based role. Having left school at just 15, Tina has worked her way up the ladder in various sales roles, including a first job at Marks & Spencer.
Tina recently took a late gap year at the age of 43. She threw in her job of 10 years, sold her house and went travelling for a year. As a recent member of the team Tina is now fully refreshed and ready for the world of work again.
In her spare time, Tina loves horse riding, swimming and travelling and is very excited about becoming an auntie for the first time!
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Tracy Giles
Sales & Operations Coordinator
Email:
tracy@ecf.uk.comAnother new member of the team, Tracy made a career change to join ECF after working in the car body shop industry.
Tracy has two girls aged 20 and 22 and when not working she likes walking, badminton and going on holiday, usually on the back of a motorbike!
One proud moment in her life was completing a 45 mile Norfolk coastal walk, from Hunstanton to Cromer.
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Elaine Garrod
Administrative Assistant
Email:
elaine@ecf.uk.comElaine worked at Cambridge University and Nokia for seven years before joining the team at ECF.
Armed with two NVQs in Business Administration, she is experienced in keeping things running smoothly in a business environment.
In her spare time, Elaine likes to go to the gym, read and do cross stitch. She is passionate about participating in charity races such as the Smile Run and Race for Life.
