British Business Bank names new East Midlands head

The British Business Bank has appointed Lewis Stringer to a new position as senior manager, UK network for the East and South-East Midlands.

The British Business Bank – the government-owned bank – is establishing a UK Network, with team members based within each of the English regions and the three devolved nations.

The UK Network was originally announced as part of the Government’s modern Industrial Strategy in November 2017, with a remit to identify and help to reduce imbalances in access to finance for smaller businesses across the UK.

Stringer will be supporting Geoff Whiteland, the recently appointed UK Network Director, North of England and the Midlands.

Stringer joined the British Business Bank, from Nottingham City Council in October 2016 as the MEIF senior relationship manager. He has over 20 years’ experience in economic development and has worked with Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), as well as in commercial and personal banking, and has delivered a number of access to finance interventions, including debt, equity, grant and investment readiness programmes.

He said: “I am delighted to be given the opportunity to join the UK Network and build on the early success of the Midlands Engine Investment Fund in the East and South-East Midlands. I look forward to continuing to work with the LEPs and other SME finance stakeholders, and helping smaller businesses in the region explore options to access the finance they need to grow.”