PPL appoints chief operating officer

Leeds-based compliance specialist Product Partnerships Limited (PPL) has appointed Ian Beardmore as chief operating officer as it expands its support for businesses operating in regulated markets.

Ian brings significant leadership and FCA compliance experience and is chief operating officer of the Association of Professional Compliance Consultants.

He has also served as a non-executive director at Think Compliance, in which PPL acquired a majority stake last year.

Ian said: “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.”

Ian’s appointment comes alongside the arrival 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.

Ian and Gleb’s appointments come as PPL broadens its client offering amid growing demand from businesses across the retail, motor, lending and consumer finance sectors.

It has also entered a strategic partnership with The Data Protection People, enabling both organisations to offer clients more joined-up support across data protection, privacy and financial regulation.

PPL has continued to invest in its team and services since securing £10 million of investment in 2025, subsequently acquiring a majority stake in Think Compliance and appointing former JD Sports boss Peter Cowgill as non-executive director and board adviser.

Phillip Garlick, chief executive of PPL, added: “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.”

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