TSB announces dedicated SME relationship manager team for Manchester
Banking group TSB has appointed a local team of relationship managers in Manchester dedicated to supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs in their local communities.
The announcement forms part of TSB’s commitment to small business banking, with a multi-million-pound investment programme already under way to build new banking services for small businesses, launching later this year.
As part of this commitment, TSB has initially dedicated five relationship managers to Manchester, and surrounding areas, to give business banking customers simple, clear and fairly-priced banking products and services that will ultimately help local businesses and communities thrive.
The team comprises Dave Martin, Hannah Stokes, Firoza Ismail, Janishar Khandia and Jo Jones.
The initial team of five is the first step in the bank’s expansion plans for SME relationship managers within the area.
Relationship managers will have the necessary skills to work closely with small business owners to determine what advice and support will best unlock their full potential.
Whether this is helping them to borrow well, save well or helping them to address a digital skills gap that may be holding them back.
Earlier this year, TSB partnered with Enterprise Nation, the UK’s most active small business network, to help boost the digital capability of small businesses and entrepreneurs across the UK – giving small businesses access to the advice and support they need to help them grow.
TSB’s SME banking director, Richard Davies, says: “Small businesses are the engines of economic growth and prosperity, fuelling local economies right across Britain.
“We recognise the need for small businesses to have local banking partners, with local knowledge, who can give them the support and advice they need to unlock their true potential.
Hannah Stokes
“We have spent a lot of time talking to small businesses in Manchester about what they want from their bank, and we’ve designed a business banking proposition with this in mind.
“Our team of relationship managers will be on hand to support small, independent business owners and provide them with the tools, support and advice they need to thrive.”
TSB’s head of relationship management, Faye Armitage, said: “Manchester, and surrounding areas, plays a very important role in our business banking strategy.
“It not only allows us to help small businesses in local economies and nearby rural communities by giving them the tools they need to succeed, but we have also strengthened our commitment to the city with our third newly-opened branch since launching on to Britain’s high streets in 2013.
“We have very strong customer relationships here and feel we have so much more to offer them – both online and offline.”
Firoza Ismail
There are 5.7 million small businesses in the UK that are the lifeblood of the UK economy. TSB says it believes that small businesses need a banking partner who wants to actively support them, with people on the ground that can provide fresh thinking and offer innovative services, ultimately reinvigorating local communities and unlocking the productivity of small businesses across the UK.
Earlier this month, TSB unveiled its SME banking leadership team to make banking better for small businesses and entrepreneurs across the UK.
This follows TSB executive chairman Richard Meddings’ announcement that the launch of a leading business banking offer is a top priority for TSB in the coming months.
