NatWest focuses on enterprise with new appointment

NATWEST has appointed Andy Lee to the new post of regional enterprise manager for the Midlands & East of England.

Lee, who joined the bank in 2006, will work closely with the specialist business banking teams to promote enterprise initiatives.

After joining the bank he worked first in personal services before moving to change management and then anti-money laundering projects.

Steve Wakelin, regional managing director for NatWest, said: “This new post will play to Andy’s personal passion for enterprise. His career with the bank spans almost a decade; however it was outside his day job where he discovered what makes the region really tick.

“He has an incredible track record of voluntary work. He is a school governor at Selly Park Technology College, a trustee of Relate Birmingham, helped run TEDxBrum in 2013 and 2014 and helped Impact Hub Birmingham secure a £65,000 Kickstarter fund.”

Lee said: “Having spent a number of years volunteering to support enterprise in Birmingham, it’s great that NatWest has chosen to put my skills to use during office hours.

“This region is a hotbed of enterprise: the LEPs are working hard to support business, universities are equipping their students to think entrepreneurially and a host of exciting new companies are prospering.

“I’ll be working closely with educational institutions and government agencies to make sure the bank is geared up to offer all the support that fledgling firms need.”

New partner at FRP Advisory

FRP Advisory has expanded its Midlands-based operation with the appointment of Raj Mittal (left), who joins as partner in the Birmingham office from Grant Thornton.

The new recruit brings 15 years’ financial advisory and restructuring experience to his new role.
 
His arrival marks the third hire of a senior advisory professional in two months to FRP Advisory’ Midlands offices. Mittal follows John Lowe who joined FRP Advisory as partner to the Leicester office from Begbies Traynor, while Gemma Jones joined FRP Advisory as Manager in the Birmingham office from Grant Thornton.

FRP Advisory now has 27 Midlands-based staff including five partners across its Birmingham and Leicester offices. It said the latest hires were in response to the on-going strong demand for FRP Advisory’s senior-led restructuring and advisory solutions across the region.
 
Specialising in providing restructuring solutions to distressed businesses and their stakeholders, Mittal has a particular focus on early intervention through advisory assignments, such as options planning, cashflow management, accelerated disposal and fundraising. He has successfully led business restructuring and turnarounds across a wide range of sectors including waste management, manufacturing, retail and construction.
 
He works with both debtors and creditors including the major clearing banks, asset based lenders, private equity firms and specialist turnaround investors.
 
Gerald Smith, partner at FRP Advisory and head of FRP Advisory’s Birmingham office, said: “Raj has proven experience working with companies, lenders and advisors across the Midlands and his appointment as partner to FRP Advisory’s Birmingham office further deepens the strength and breadth of quality of advisory services that we provide to businesses and lenders.

“Raj’s strong relationships with not just the major clearing banks but also the full range of debt providers and his connections with the private equity firms active across the UK, fits with FRP Advisory’s existing network of relationships. Raj’s arrival is a response to the growing demand for FRP Advisory’s restructuring and advisory services in the Midlands and across the rest of the UK.”

New NED for Tipton and Coseley

THE Tipton and Coseley Building Society has appointed a new non executive director to the board.

Keith Rolfe (left), aged 53, brings with him extensive risk management experience gained from front line risk roles in leading financial institutions, latterly in an executive role within Barclays Corporate as Chief Credit Officer.

He has also worked for global financial services firm, UBS AG, in roles including Director, Risk Management and at Credit Suisse where he held a number of positions including Credit Risk Manager. He is a board member and Vice Chairman of Rooftop Housing Group and a committee member at the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Richard Newton, the society’s chief executive, said Rolfe was a welcome addition to the board: “Keith beings with him a vast amount of experience and his industry insight will prove invaluable as we focus on our future development.”