focus on southampton 29 Lloyds moves to Town Quay


Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets benefits from a longstanding corporate presence in Southampton and the surrounding region, the extent of which grew in 2009 with the creation of Lloyds Banking Group. Today the 10-strong team of specialist bankers, which focuses on the £15-£500 million turnover market, is based in new premises at Town Quay.


The bank’s customers in the region come from a diverse range of industries including manufacturing, services, leisure, recruitment, retail, and healthcare – all of which are key sectors for the bank. The Southampton team’s area of operation stretches from Poole to the west, Basingstoke to the north, and Chichester to the east.


Looking at the business climate in the city and wider area, Mark Clinkskel, relationship director, Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets, said: “Southampton is weathering the recessionary conditions well, compared to other cities of a similar size. This can largely be attributed to the fact that Southampton has a higher proportion of service companies than other cities


with comparably sized business communities. The services industry has generally fared better throughout the recession than other sectors such as retail or manufacturing. Businesses in the region have of course continued to experience margin pressure due to cost increases and price competition, however we have in fact seen a lower than expected rate of company failure.


“The situation for the region as a whole is much the same as in Southampton. Since the turn of the year, there has been more pressure on companies due to increasing costs, and resources are being stretched further than last year. For example, the hotel sector has been adversely affected, particularly in the western part of the region. This is largely due to smaller and individually owned hotels being increasingly unable to compete with the larger chains, as well as a reduction in the number of functions and conferences being held.


“Where possible, customers have continued with their key strategic aims of cost containment, de-leveraging and building


Clinkskel continued: “The bank’s strong capital base means it has the resources to be able to provide the necessary financial support to its clients, and the team’s experience and expertise mean they are trusted advisers to their customers. Where customers have experienced trading difficulties throughout the downturn, our business support team has provided sustainable solutions by working with customers in flexible and innovative ways to help resolve their challenges.“


Mark Clinkskel


cash reserves. There have been opportunities for growth through acquisitions; however these always involve appropriate due diligence, reflecting the economic conditions and general market confidence. We have yet to see a major increase in appetite for additional borrowing, although shorter-term working capital funding has been a definite feature where growth is being seen.“


The team in Southampton is well positioned to help customers grow and take advantage of business opportunities as the country emerges from the recession.


City celebrates Spitfire’s first flight


A Spitfire spectacular was organised last month in Southampton to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the first flight of the iconic aircraft.


The city is considered the birthplace of the Spitfire as it was originally designed by resident Reginald Mitchell, and the prototype (K5054) was first flown from the city’s airport in 1936. Following this maiden flight, more than 22,500 Spitfires were built and helped defend Britain during conflicts such as the Battle of Britain.


75 years to the day, the famous Grace Spitfire flew over Southampton Water to commemorate the anniversary. The pilot, Carolyn Grace, is the world’s only female Spitfire pilot. The event was organised by Southampton City Council and The Spitfire Tribute Foundation, in association with Solent Sky Museum, and Southampton Airport. Residents


The bank is keen to provide support to the entire business community in Southampton and the surrounding area, by offering innovative funding solutions and high return deposits, which are proving to be highly competitive market-leading products.


“We moved into our new offices in 2010, which places us firmly at the heart of the business and financial community in Southampton with easy access for and to all of customers. We share our premises with the business support, asset and cashflow finance, and wealth management teams. This means we can reach the entire regional business market from one location, with huge benefits provided by the close working relationship between the teams,“ he concluded.


Businesses face voluntary sector


Business leaders and the voluntary sector got together recently to discuss what the Big Society could mean in reality for Southampton.


Organised by Southampton Voluntary Services and Business Southampton, the event aimed to look beyond the rhetoric to see how business can develop its caring side.


Carolyn Grace piloted the Grace Spitfire that flew over Southampton Water


and visitors enjoyed the flight from vantage points along the River Itchen, Mayflower Park, Weston Shore and Victoria Country Park.


Last year the Spitfire Tribute Foundation organised a national competition to design a lasting tribute and selected a concept by Australian architect and enthusiast Nick Hancock, who was the


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH CENTRAL – APRIL 2011


passenger in the Grace two-seater Spitfire.


Fundraising is underway to help raise the £2 million needed. The monument will sit on land beside the Trafalgar dry dock alongside the £19m Ocean Terminal, two miles from the Supermarine Aviation site where RJ Mitchell developed the aircraft.


Key speaker Julia Cleverdon, vice president of Business in the Community, stated: “We need to move away from asking ’what are they doing about something?’ to asking ’what are we going to do about it?’“


Tim Brightwell, explaining how Johnstones Paints was undertaking a community paint project in the city, said: “Being involved with the project has enabled us to give something back and that, in turn, has helped to build our brand awareness.“


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