Managing Director - Darren Kelk
With over 26 years of experience in private sector debt collection Darren has a fantastic understanding of how data can be used to help debt collection for both the public and private sector.
Darren also has over 21 years’ experience delivering bespoke training sessions as well as speaking at National and Local IRRV and Housing Network Conferences.
In his spare time Darren completed a UEFA A Coaching Licence and has worked with many different professional football teams.
Technical Director - Richard Hanby
As a founding director of the business Richard brings knowledge of private sector debt collection and experience building data driven software solutions at scale. With over a decade of experience; Richard steers the business objectives and technology stack, driving Ascendant into a 100% Cloud based business with massive scale and infrastructure redundancy as a result. Richard is also the Data Security Manager, tasked with managing operational risk, data security and compliance.
Richard has a passion for data security and socialising.
Client Services Manager - Sam Hanby
Sam’s career initially began in retail, managing many well-known high street coffee shops. Following a brief spell in product development, he set up his own business, bringing a new food trend to the UK.
Since joining us in 2018, Sam is now an integral part of Ascendant Solutions. Handling all communication for current and prospect clients, ensuring suppliers are kept up to date and assisting with development requests from clients and the development team.
In his spare time Sam enjoys ‘Anything with an engine and two wheels’ and is an active ACU licence holder, he has also won multiple club races.
Senior Software Developer - Max Peake
Max graduated in Computer Science from Sheffield Hallam University.
Max joined us in 2020 to expand our Development Team, to assist with developing our existing products to extract their full potential alongside bringing new projects to release sooner.
At the weekend Max captain's his local cricket team in Nottingham who have had successful seasons.
Software Developer - Dean Hanson
Graduated from Sheffield Hallam University with a degree in Software Engineering. Dean works with the Development Team to improve on already existing products as well as developing new Ascendant products.
In his free time Dean builds, maintains, and rides motorbikes with his father and friends.
Advertising and Media Executive Apprentice - Margareta Gal
Meggie is currently working on her Level 3 Advertising and Media Executive Appenticeship with us. She joined us during summer 2021 in July. She does most of the graphical side of the company and also helps with marketing.
In her spare time, Meggie likes to experiement with different hairstyles and colours along with that, she always has some sort of arts and crafts project to be getting on with.
Junior Software Developer - Nathan Sykes
Nathan is currently studying software engineering at Sheffield Hallam University and joined us towards the end of 2021 to complete an industry placement.
In his free time Nathan plays bass guitar in a local band.
Business Support Manager - Nicole Wilkinson
Nicole has joined at the beginning of this year.
She has previous worked at a mortgage company for 10 years and she has been a wonderful addition to our team.
In her spare time she loves to travel. Jamaica, Egypt and Turkey are just a few places she have visited.
Most importantly, however, she loves to spend time with her children.