banking update 37


Boost for businesses as RBS expands its team


RBS has strengthened its Reading-based mid-corporate banking team, giving businesses across the Thames Valley access to an even wider range of knowledge and expertise


With a clear focus on businesses in the £25 million – £100m turnover, the 10-strong team is led by Paul Williams, working alongside relationship directors Gareth Evans, Simon Plummer and Claire Moore.


Evans is the new team member at relationship director level, while fellow new recruits David Potter and Ben Pearce have added their experience to the all-important support group.


“This is a really strong time for us. We’re delighted that we have been able to expand and reach out to businesses who are looking for more help from their bank,” said Robin Barnes, regional director for Thames Valley and Solent.


Williams, head of mid-corporate banking, Thames Valley Corporate, continued: “Loyalty to RBS has been very good during the recession. We have been winning business and we know people recognise both the value of the brand and the relationship that individual directors have with their clients.


“Our goal is not just to be seen as a banker, but as a trusted adviser. We know the importance of really getting to know our clients and their businesses, understanding their strategy, their goals and what they want to do. Because of our knowledge of the market and our experience we can bring real expertise to bear for their benefit in the future.”


The team’s geographical scope ranges from Banbury in the north of Oxfordshire, through to Basingstoke and Newbury in the south and west, and towards Hammersmith and Heathrow in the east.


Williams believes it is when businesses reach the £25m turnover level that the need for additional help often kicks in.


He cites the need for management teams to look at new senior level board appointments; to plan their vision for the future; and to look at new areas of growth and opportunity; as opportunities for the bank to add value.


“A key differentiator is our ability to offer a really integrated solution,” he said. “The support we have here at Abbey Gardens from our fellow RBS teams is fantastic and it enables us to offer a really co-ordinated approach, putting together bespoke packages to suit individual businesses.


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – OCTOBER 2012 From left: Gareth Evans, Claire Moore, Simon Plummer, Paul Williams, Robin Barnes


“We’re proud that for every customer who has approached us, we have been able to go back with an offer which has fitted what the customer wanted and has been acceptable for the bank as well.”


The team also works closely with Andrew Clayton and his structured finance team, providing critical support for businesses at times of change, such as an MBO, acquisition or sale.


The team is proud of its generalist approach and the particular strengths it has built up in providing support for the manufacturing, education and healthcare sectors. Given the Thames Valley’s predominance of technology businesses, colleague Roland Emmans leads a separate technology team.


RBS is strongly committed to the manufacturing sector and in September announced that for the first time it would be specifically targeting mid-sized businesses with a £25m-plus turnover.


Williams is keen to promote the move and says RBS’s expertise is not just in supporting businesses, but helping them expand for the future, often into new overseas markets.


“A lot of manufacturers are now exporting www.businessmag.co.uk


“I know the area and, importantly, I know the professional networks and the fellow professionals who are always a key part of doing business,” he said. “A massive amount of what we do is about true relationship banking, not just acting as a banker but going beyond that in terms of the service and support we offer.


“We are a generalist team with wide-ranging experience and a good reputation. All of us bring knowledge and expertise from outside the RBS family as well, which provides additional strength because we really know the markets we operate in.


“Working together, we can add real value and ongoing support to businesses across the region. We know it’s an approach which can make a real difference and we want to share it for the benefit of our clients.”


Details: Paul Williams 0118-9522172 paul.s.williams@rbs.co.uk www.rbs.co.uk


“We work closely across the whole of the group to offer more creative solutions, such as invoice financing or asset based lending packages to help businesses press ahead with their plans.


and we can provide help and advice, not just at home, but on a global basis too, by working with other parts of the RBS group,” he added.


Williams is proud that a considerable amount of new business comes through personal recommendation from existing clients or fellow professional advisers and says he and his team have a good understanding of the business community in Reading and across the Thames Valley.


He was originally based in Reading with another bank before leaving to spend three years in London, returning to his roots to join RBS just over 18 months ago.


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