Bank appoints East Midlands ‘expert in residence’ to help female entrepreneurs

NatWest has appointed Amber Lauder as an expert in residence based in the East Midlands and Lincolnshire to help female entrepreneurs to realise their growth ambitions.

The Expert in Residence programme dedicates 28 roles based in branches and communities to support female entrepreneurship, following a successful two-year pilot of the programme. The initiative is launched in conjunction with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The 28 expert in residence roles will be based in NatWest branches, in growth hubs and in their wider community.

Alison Rose, CEO, NatWest Group said: “Since the launch of the Rose Review in 2019, strong progress has been made in breaking-down barriers facing female entrepreneurs, with considerable commitment and action across financial services and the wider business landscape. Yet there is more to do and, post-pandemic, support which is practical, face-to-face, and tailored to local communities, will be critical in enabling entrepreneurs to rebuild and thrive.

“We are delighted to be working with BEIS and the LEP Network to roll out NatWest’s Expert in Residence programme across the UK, and I encourage businesses to reach out to their local Expert in Residence via their LEP or Growth hub in order to advantage of what they can offer – alongside the wider package of support available.”