banking update 47
HSBC invests to help Thames Valley businesses grow
Jon Stradling and John Wilkinson both started their banking careers with HSBC in the late 1980s, and for the past 26 years they have gained an invaluable variety of financial knowledge, contacts and experience of helping businesses to succeed
Now, HSBC has made the astute decision to link their professional talents in a fresh local collaborative partnership to assist Thames Valley businesses throughout their growth cycle “from acorns to saplings and ultimately mighty oaks”.
It’s a strategically sensible and logical move by HSBC because Stradling and Wilkinson know the region and its dynamic economy exceptionally well, writes John Burbedge.
Stradling began with HSBC in its Oxford branch and Wilkinson at Newbury. Both live in the region, and both will now work in close liaison based in Reading.
Wilkinson’s appointment last month as area commercial director follows several years working for HSBC in London. “My career was rooted in the Thames Valley and I feel I have come back home.”
Stradling returned to the Thames Valley too in January, when he became head of corporate banking.
They plainly respect each other's abilities, but more importantly are both passionate about working closely with clients, as Wilkinson puts it “from start-up to multinational corporate, from aspiration to their ultimate goal.”
Wilkinson’s commercial team helps companies ranging up to a £30 million turnover threshold, and, as clients grow and their corporate needs change. Stradling’s team assists those operating from £30m up to FTSE 100 from a regional base.
“We are absolutely committed to working together to make sure growing local businesses get the full support of HSBC with its connected world of international links and funding sources,” adds Stradling.
Both teams have recently invested in order to assist more Thames Valley clients.
“Our commercial team not only has a first class cadre of relationship managers and essential support personnel, but also now has a new area leadership team,” said Wilkinson detailing two fresh senior appointments.
Former Clydesdale banker Linda Middleton and Alison Richardson from HSBC’s Canary Wharf head office are now Wilkinson's deputies. They join David Cook and Vic Fry, both well-known
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – OCTOBER 2013 John Wilkinson and Jon Stradling
in local banking circles. All five live within their Thames Valley ‘patch’.
The commercial team will now also include dedicated local business managers and international business banking managers for clients with an annual turnover of £0.5m-£2m.
Meanwhile, Stradling has been working with his new deputy Simon Addis since April. Martin Dakin has also returned to HSBC in the Thames Valley as head of origination, and Nick Hicks has been appointed senior relationship director following a successful 25 year career with RBS. Stradling added: "These recent new appointments illustrate our commitment to the regional model and increasing our market share in the mid-corporate space."
It’s also an important HSBC investment for ‘UK plc’ as the country shows signs of economic recovery. The Thames Valley is a top ‘UK plc’ contributor to national GDP.
With HSBC forecasting that UK international trade will grow by 60% over the next 15 years, and today's 'emerging markets' will represent two-thirds of the largest economies in the world by 2050, there are many opportunities ahead for Thames Valley businesses.
“There’s an air of optimism in our region, which is probably best positioned to take advantage of any UK or international upturn, but the road ahead will be bumpy and businesses need to select the correct business partners for growth,” advised Wilkinson.
Stradling and Wilkinson believe HSBC and their local teams, bolstered by recent market-leading customer satisfaction results, are uniquely placed to facilitate the uptake of those opportunities.
Untainted by pre-recessionary financial failings and unburdened by government bailout requirements, HSBC has a strong balance-sheet and remains wholeheartedly ‘open for business’.
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“Following recent investments we too are a business poised for growth. There has never been a better time to talk to HSBC about your business aspirations,” added Wilkinson.
Last year HSBC provided £12.3 billion of new lending to UK SMEs, which included £5.1b to support SMEs that trade or aspire to trade internationally. Since 2011, HSBC has also played a major role in the UK bank consortium backing the Business Growth Fund.
In addition, as a truly international bank, HSBC offers businesses worldwide expertise and global solutions – important for the Thames Valley with its vibrant mix of aspiring international entrepreneurs, global supply chains and multinational corporates.
Over the autumn period, Wilkinson and Stradling will be hosting a series of free Thames Valley seminars devoted to greater international business development and cultural insight.
Currently, HSBC is taking nominations for its high-profile 2014 Global Connections competition, with the chance for UK businesses (£2m-£100m turnover) to win up to £240k, gain valuable international publicity and introductions, and meet like-minded successful business leaders in an overseas exchange.
If you wish to discuss further details either on the seminars or Global Connections please contact Wilkinson or Stradling; details below.
Details: John Wilkinson
johnwilkinson@hsbc.com
Jon Stradling
jonathanstradling@hsbc.com
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