PPL strengthens leadership team as it continues to build specialist compliance support for clients

Product Partnerships Limited (PPL) has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Ian Beardmore as Chief Operating Officer, as the business continues to grow and broaden the specialist support available to clients operating in regulated markets.

Ian is a well-known figure in the compliance sector, with significant leadership and FCA compliance experience. He is COO of the Association of Professional Compliance Consultants (APCC) and also served as a non-executive director at Think Compliance, in which PPL acquired a majority stake last year.

His appointment comes at an important stage in PPL’s growth journey, as the business continues to support clients across retail, motor, lending, consumer finance and other regulated sectors.

Alongside Ian’s appointment, PPL has continued to invest in specialist expertise with the appointment of Gleb Butylov as Senior Credit Risk and Compliance Officer. Gleb brings experience across retail mortgage lending, credit risk and data analytics, having previously worked with Yorkshire Building Society, Together and Evolution Money.

PPL has also entered into a strategic partnership with The Data Protection People (DPP), giving clients access to expertise across data protection, privacy and governance. In turn, PPL can support DPP clients where customer journeys involve FCA-regulated activity, consumer finance, credit, financial promotions or wider regulatory obligations.

Together, these developments reflect PPL’s focus on building practical, joined-up support for clients as different areas of compliance increasingly overlap in day-to-day operations.
The business has continued to invest in its people, partnerships and specialist capability since securing investment from Arete Capital Partners, TDC and Seneca Partners in 2025.

Since then, PPL has acquired a majority stake in Think Compliance and appointed Peter Cowgill as non-executive director and board adviser.

Phillip Garlick, CEO of PPL, said:

“The way our clients operate is becoming more complex, and the different areas of compliance they deal with increasingly overlap. As experts in retail finance solutions, our focus is on building the leadership, capabilities and partnerships that allow us to give clients practical, joined-up support.

“Ian brings significant experience and credibility to the leadership team, while Gleb adds further specialist depth in credit risk and lending. Our partnership with The Data Protection People broadens that proposition again and gives clients access to expertise across data protection, privacy and governance.

“This progress is the result of a lot of work across the business, and it would not be possible without the continued support, advice and challenge of the people around us. I would like to give particular thanks to our board and investors, including Simon Lord and Jamie Newall at Arete, Jon Petty at TDC, Matt Currie at Seneca Partners, and Peter Cowgill. Their support has been invaluable as we continue to build the next stage of PPL’s growth.”

Ian Beardmore added:

“PPL has built a strong reputation by combining technical expertise with a real understanding of how regulated businesses operate. There is already significant depth across the team, and I’m looking forward to helping build on that as we continue to develop the business and support a growing number of clients.”

The announcement has also been covered by Business Money, which highlighted PPL’s continued investment in senior leadership, specialist credit risk expertise and joined-up client support across regulated markets.

PPL’s continued growth is focused on strengthening the quality, depth and relevance of the support available to clients, helping regulated businesses access practical advice across FCA compliance, consumer credit, data protection, governance and wider regulatory obligations.