The Franklin Group Executive and Leadership Team

July, 2026

Leadership Overview

The Franklin Group has 8 executives leading key functions including strategy, operations, technology, finance, administration, and development.

Driven by financial sophistication and operating experience, The Franklin Group delivers comprehensive advice and strategic solutions to banks, specialty finance companies, and their investors, impacting the consumer and commercial finance industries.

Leadership Roles at The Franklin Group

  • Chief Executive Officer - Taylor Franklin
  • Group Chief Financial Officer, Westview - Michael Chester
  • Chief Operating Officer - NextTaylor Franklin
  • President, Development - James Noel
  • President, Development - Thomas Johnston
  • Chief Information Officer - Charles Mixer
  • Chief Administrative Officer - Heidi Harrison
  • Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer - Gloria Harrison
  • Taylor Franklin - Chief Executive Officer

    Taylor Franklin, the Chief Executive Officer at The Franklin Group, directs the overarching strategy and vision for the advisory firm. Franklin guides the company's focus on the consumer finance and commercial finance industries, ensuring the delivery of full-service, comprehensive advice. This leadership role involves setting the strategic direction for client engagements, fostering key relationships with banks, specialty finance companies, and their investors. Taylor Franklin leverages a unique combination of financial sophistication and operating experience to shape the firm's best-in-class advisory services. The Chief Executive Officer's responsibilities include driving market penetration and ensuring the firm's strategic alignment with client needs in a dynamic financial landscape. Franklin's executive oversight ensures the consistent application of the firm's core competencies across all client interactions.

    Michael Chester - Group Chief Financial Officer, Westview

    Michael Chester, the Group Chief Financial Officer, Westview at The Franklin Group, oversees the financial health and strategic financial planning for the Westview operations. Chester manages all fiscal activities, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting, ensuring robust financial management across the firm's advisory services. This role is pivotal in providing financial insights that support strategic decision-making for banks, specialty finance companies, and their investors. Michael Chester leverages extensive financial sophistication to guide investment strategies and optimize financial performance. The Group Chief Financial Officer's responsibilities include managing capital allocation and ensuring compliance with financial regulations. By maintaining rigorous financial oversight, Chester reinforces the firm's commitment to delivering best-in-class advice and strategic solutions.

    NextTaylor Franklin - Chief Operating Officer

    NextTaylor Franklin, the Chief Operating Officer at The Franklin Group, manages the day-to-day operational execution and efficiency of the advisory services. Franklin oversees the implementation of strategic initiatives, ensuring seamless service delivery to banks, specialty finance companies, and investors within the consumer and commercial finance sectors. This role is critical for translating the firm's strategic vision into tangible operational outcomes. NextTaylor Franklin focuses on optimizing internal processes and resource allocation to support the firm's comprehensive advice and strategic solutions. The Chief Operating Officer's purview includes enhancing operational workflows and ensuring the firm's capacity to meet client demands effectively. By streamlining operations, Franklin directly contributes to the firm's ability to provide best-in-class advice, leveraging both financial sophistication and operating experience.

    James Noel - President, Development

    James Noel, the President, Development at The Franklin Group, spearheads initiatives focused on expanding the firm's service offerings and market reach. Noel directs strategic development projects aimed at enhancing the firm's capabilities in the consumer finance and commercial finance sectors. This leadership role involves identifying new opportunities and fostering innovation to deliver advanced strategic solutions to clients. James Noel leverages deep industry knowledge to drive growth and cultivate new business avenues. The President, Development's responsibilities include overseeing the conceptualization and launch of new advisory services. By focusing on development, Noel ensures The Franklin Group remains at the forefront of financial sophistication and operating experience, providing best-in-class advice.
    James Noel

    Thomas Johnston - President, Development

    Thomas Johnston, the President, Development at The Franklin Group, drives strategic growth through the identification and execution of new development opportunities. Johnston focuses on enhancing the firm's advisory services and expanding its presence within the consumer and commercial finance industries. This role is critical for cultivating innovation and ensuring the delivery of comprehensive, forward-thinking solutions to banks, specialty finance companies, and their investors. Thomas Johnston's expertise in market analysis informs the strategic direction of development initiatives. The President, Development's responsibilities include leading cross-functional teams to bring new service models to fruition. By championing development, Johnston reinforces The Franklin Group's commitment to financial sophistication and operating experience, ensuring sustained client value.
    Thomas Johnston

    Charles Mixer - Chief Information Officer

    Charles Mixer, the Chief Information Officer at The Franklin Group, architects and directs the firm's technology strategy and infrastructure. Mixer ensures that information systems effectively support the delivery of comprehensive advisory services to clients in the consumer and commercial finance industries. This leadership position involves overseeing all aspects of IT operations, including data security, system integration, and technological innovation. Charles Mixer's responsibilities extend to evaluating and implementing new technologies that enhance the firm's financial sophistication and operating experience. The Chief Information Officer plays a crucial part in safeguarding client data and ensuring the reliability of the firm's technological backbone. By driving technological advancements, Mixer enables The Franklin Group to provide cutting-edge solutions and maintain a competitive edge in the advisory market.

    Heidi Harrison - Chief Administrative Officer

    Heidi Harrison, the Chief Administrative Officer at The Franklin Group, directs the comprehensive administrative functions that support the firm's advisory operations. Harrison oversees human resources, facilities management, and general corporate administration, ensuring a productive and efficient work environment. This role is essential for enabling the firm's team to deliver full-service, strategic solutions to clients in the consumer and commercial finance sectors. Heidi Harrison focuses on optimizing administrative processes to align with the firm's strategic goals and enhance its operating experience. The Chief Administrative Officer's responsibilities include fostering a positive corporate culture and managing essential support services. By ensuring smooth administrative operations, Harrison directly contributes to the firm's capacity to provide best-in-class advice.

    Gloria Harrison - Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer

    Gloria Harrison, the Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer at The Franklin Group, enhances the firm's administrative capabilities and operational support. Harrison collaborates with the Chief Administrative Officer to refine internal policies and procedures, ensuring seamless execution of advisory services for banks, specialty finance companies, and investors. This position focuses on driving administrative excellence and supporting the firm's strategic objectives within the consumer and commercial finance industries. Gloria Harrison's contributions are vital in optimizing resource management and fostering an efficient operational framework. The Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer plays a key part in maintaining the firm's high standards of service delivery. By supporting administrative functions, Harrison ensures the firm's continued ability to provide comprehensive advice and strategic solutions.

    Explore Leadership Teams in Business Services

    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding The Franklin Group Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads The Franklin Group?
    The Franklin Group is led by Taylor Franklin (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Michael Chester (Group Chief Financial Officer, Westview) and NextTaylor Franklin (Chief Operating Officer).
    Who is part of The Franklin Group’s executive team?
    The executive team of The Franklin Group includes leaders such as Taylor Franklin (Chief Executive Officer), Michael Chester (Group Chief Financial Officer, Westview), NextTaylor Franklin (Chief Operating Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does The Franklin Group have?
    The Franklin Group has 8 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in The Franklin Group’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of The Franklin Group includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Group Chief Financial Officer, Westview, Chief Operating Officer, President, Development, President, Development.