A Decade of Transformational Leadership: RJ Grimshaw's UniFi Journey
From $14M to $250M in assets with a remarkable 28.60% CAGR over ten years of visionary leadership.
Professional Journey
1
Pre-2013
Vice President at EverBank Commercial Finance, responsible for growth within the Technology Division. Held senior leadership roles at Key Equipment Finance, developing expertise in steering financial organizations toward success.
2
August 2013
Joined Bank of Ann Arbor as Executive Vice President and Chief Sales Officer. Began leadership of UniFi Equipment Finance, a wholly owned subsidiary of the bank.
3
2013-2023
Led UniFi Equipment Finance through a decade of remarkable growth and transformation. Grew assets from $14 million to $250 million, achieving a 28.60% CAGR.
4
December 2023
Departed UniFi Equipment Finance after a decade of successful leadership. Founded Able Leadership, continuing to apply and teach the principles that drove UniFi's success.
Industry Leadership & Recognition
Industry Leadership
- Served on the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) Vendor and Captive Business Council Steering Committee
- Participated in two Industry Future Councils with the ELFA Foundation
- Served as an Executive Director for the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association
- Currently serves on the Equipment Finance Cares Board
Professional Recognition
- Author of the book "ABLE Leadership"
- A leading authority on the Intrapreneurship Operating System (IOS)
- Certified to speak, train, and teach "The Person of Interest" philosophy
- An avid hockey coach involved with USA Hockey
- Recognized among "The Baker's Dozen CEOs" in the equipment finance industry
UniFi's Impressive Growth Trajectory
$234M
Asset Growth
Million dollars in assets by 2023, up from just $14M in 2013
26.77%
CAGR
Compound Annual Growth Rate in assets over a decade
35.54%
Profitability CAGR
Impressive growth in profitability metrics
$107M
Peak Originations
Million dollars in 2022, showing significant growth
UniFi Equipment Finance is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of Ann Arbor, a community bank that strategically acquired the equipment finance company to diversify its portfolio beyond traditional banking services.
Strategic Evolution
Culture of Continuous Improvement
Under Grimshaw's leadership, UniFi established a data-driven culture anchored by rigorous KPI tracking and performance measurement. Teams were empowered to identify improvement opportunities, resulting in enhanced operational efficiency and consistent achievement of strategic objectives.
Business Volume Strategy
While industry trends showed steady annual increases in new business volume, UniFi demonstrated higher volatility with strong early growth. Units peaked in 2019 (2,678 contracts), with recent years showing fewer but higher-value contracts.
Ticket Size Evolution
Average ticket sizes peaked at $108,868 in 2022, exceeding the industry average of $78,505. This strategic focus on larger deals contributed to stronger profitability despite fewer total contracts.
Credit Quality Management
UniFi maintained lower Net Charge-Off (NCO) rates than industry averages, dropping from 1.27% in 2018 to an impressive 0.03% in 2023, indicating superior credit management practices and risk assessment.
Performance Metrics
Gross Receivables Growth
$239 million in gross receivables by 2023, up from $20.9M in 2013 - outperforming industry benchmarks (MLFI - Monthly Leasing and Finance Index)
Premium Ticket Size
$101,030 average ticket size per contract in 2022, exceeding industry average of $78,505 through strategic focus on higher-value deals
Superior Credit Management
90.02% reduction in Net Charge-Off rates from 2018 to 2023, demonstrating exceptional risk assessment and credit quality management
Quality-Focused Approach
975 higher-value contracts in 2023, reflecting the strategic quality over quantity approach that drove profitability
Industry Recognition: The Baker's Dozen CEOs
RJ Grimshaw was recognized among "The Baker's Dozen CEOs" alongside executives from major financial institutions such as De Lage Landen, Key Equipment Finance, Cisco Systems Capital, and Wells Fargo, highlighting his standing among industry leaders.
Leadership Philosophy & Conclusion
Leadership Approach
- Intrapreneurship Operating System (IOS) - fostering innovation within established structures
- "The Person of Interest" Philosophy - emphasizing personal development and leadership cultivation
- ABLE Leadership - core principles that guided his successful leadership at UniFi
- Strategic focus on quality over quantity became a hallmark of Grimshaw's approach
Transformational Impact
From 2013 to 2023, UniFi Equipment Finance evolved from a small subsidiary into a significant industry player with impressive growth in assets, profitability, and portfolio quality.
In December 2023, Grimshaw departed after a decade of successful leadership, leaving behind a transformed organization with a strong market position. He has since founded Able Leadership, where he continues to apply and teach the principles that drove UniFi's success.
Current Focus & Certifications
AI Integration Leadership
Leveraging artificial intelligence technologies to drive operational efficiency and strategic decision-making in modern business environments. Applying AI solutions to enhance leadership practices and organizational performance.
Upwork Certification
Certified professional on the Upwork platform, demonstrating expertise in delivering high-quality consulting and leadership services to clients across various industries.