New role at Lloyds for Darling

THE former head of business development and head of Social Housing for Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking’s Mid Markets Corporate Real Estate team, Brian Darling, has taken on a new regional leadership role.
 
Darling has been appointed head of Mid-Market Corporate Real Estate for the Midlands, Wales, East Anglia and the South West of England.
 
As part of the new role he will be working closely with the bank’s seven area directors who each lead Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking’s Mid Markets’ teams across the geography. He will also be supported by a team of dedicated real estate relationship directors based at the bank’s Colmore Row offices in Birmingham.
 
Lloyds Bank’s mid-market corporate real estate lending arm has a significant portfolio of clients across the regions. Its team provides lending of £10m or above for property investment and £5m upwards to support new development.
 
Darling has significant experience in the sector having led real estate teams across the UK.  He was previously head of property finance at Nationwide and his career in banking began more than 30 years ago with Barclays, also in Birmingham.
 
Marty Green, managing director of Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking’s Mid-Market Corporate Real Estate division, said: “Brian is one of the market’s most experienced operators who understands the dynamics of corporate real estate in these regions. He has a clear mandate to help grow our franchise across this strategically important area for our team.”
 

KPMG looks for the Stars of tomorrow

 
KPMG has welcomed 71 school-leavers on to its 12-month paid work experience programme, including six in Birmingham.

The firm’s STAR programme aims to offer talented school-leavers who have just completed their A Levels or equivalent, the opportunity to gain 12 months paid work experience. The catchment area has been extended beyond London to offices across the UK, including Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester and Watford.

The STAR candidates have the opportunity to rotate around the business every three to six months, to support a range of internal and client facing projects. At the end of the programme, the candidates are given the option to apply to other KPMG opportunities such as the School Leaver Programme or experienced hire roles.  To date, the programme has led to 43 of the 84 STAR alumni successfully securing permanent roles.  

Mike Steventon, Midlands Regional Chairman at KPMG, added: “It’s important for businesses to step up and contribute positively to social mobility.  By building sustainable partnerships with schools, colleges and the local community, we can help raise the aspirations of young people in Birmingham. Such relationships help address youth unemployment and the skills shortage amongst school leavers, but they also inspire confidence in young people to continue to invest in and develop their skills and experiences to build successful working lives.”

New business recovery specialist for Smith Cooper

ACCOUNTANCY and business advisory firm, Smith Cooper, has announced the appointment of Nick Lee as a Business Recovery and Insolvency Partner, strengthening its operations across the Midlands.

Lee, left, who has more than 20 years experience in the field of corporate recovery, will operate from Smith Cooper’s Birmingham and Telford offices, where he will guide and support businesses through instances of financial and cash flow difficulties.  

Dean Nelson, Head of Business Recovery and Insolvency at Smith Cooper said: “We are delighted to welcome Nick to the firm. In the last five years, our team has grown from two to eleven dedicated professionals based around the Midlands.

“Nick is a key appointment for us and his proven track record in corporate recovery and insolvency, together his wealth of knowledge and experience, makes him a valuable addition to our team and I look forward to working with him.”