We’ve recently welcomed Austin Behan as CEO of LM Operations.
With experience spanning motor retail, banking and automotive finance, including roles at EBS, Permanent TSB and BMW, Austin joins us at a time when clarity, trust and simplicity in car finance matter more than ever for both customers and dealership partners.
We caught up with him to hear what he’s learned across the industry, what customers and dealers really need from a lender, what he’s focused on at LM Operations – and, most importantly, whether he’s a tea or coffee person.
Tell Us A Bit About Your Journey To Date?
I started in motor retail, which gave me a real appreciation for customers and how important the car buying experience is. I then moved into financial services with EBS, where I completed my MBA alongside my role.
After that I spent almost nine years with BMW Group, working across corporate sales and later as General Manager of MINI Ireland. More recently, I worked with Permanent TSB across retail banking, asset finance and regulatory change.
Across all of it, I’ve seen the same thing – when finance works well, it supports the customer journey. When it doesn’t, it gets in the way.
What Have Those Experiences Taught You About Customer Finance?
That customers don’t want complexity – they want clarity and confidence in the decision they’re making.
Whether it’s buying a car or arranging finance, the expectation is simple: fair, transparent outcomes delivered without friction.
That’s what should sit at the centre of every lending decision.
What Really Matters To Customers When It Comes To Car Finance?
Trust and simplicity.
A car purchase is a major financial decision, so customers want to feel reassured that the process is fair, transparent and easy to understand. They don’t want surprises – they want confidence in the outcome.
What Matters Most To Dealership Partners In A Lender?
Consistency and ease of doing business.
Dealers need a finance partner that helps them sell cars, not slow them down. That means clear decisions, reliable processes and a genuine understanding of how dealerships operate day to day.
Strong partnerships are built when both sides are aligned on doing right by the customer.
From Your Perspective, What Role Should A Lender Play In Today’s Market?
A good lender should make the car buying journey smoother, not more complicated.
We should be enabling sales, supporting customers to make informed decisions, and working closely with dealers to remove friction wherever possible.
What Stood Out To You About LM Operations?
The focus on relationships and doing things properly.
There’s a clear opportunity here to strengthen how we support both customers and partners, and to keep things simple, transparent and consistent in a market that can sometimes feel the opposite.
What Are You Most Focused On In Your New Role?
Making sure we’re easy to work with – for both customers and dealers.
That means strong communication, clear processes and making sure decisions are fair and timely. Small improvements in those areas make a big difference in practice.
What Excites You Most About Where The Business Is Heading?
There’s a real opportunity to strengthen how finance fits into the overall car buying experience.
If we get it right, it should feel seamless – something that supports the journey rather than sitting apart from it.
What Does A Good Day At Work Look Like?
When things are moving forward and the team is working well together.
Progress doesn’t always have to be big – often it’s the small improvements in how we work that make the biggest difference over time.
What Keeps You Motivated?
Seeing things improve and knowing it’s making life easier for customers and partners.
That’s what gives the work meaning.
What Do You Enjoy Outside Of Work?
Family time is a big one for me. I’ve got a 9-year-old daughter and a very energetic puppy, so there’s rarely a quiet moment at home.
I also enjoy golf – although I’d probably describe myself as more enthusiastic than skilled!
Tea Or Coffee?
Tea.
One Word To Describe Your Approach?
Collaborative.
Thanks, Austin, for your time.
If you’re looking for a new lender in Ireland, why not have a chat with our team – we’d love to hear from you. And who knows, we might even treat you to one of Austin’s favourite teas.