Lloyds stregthens global operations in the Midlands

LLOYDS Bank has strengthened its Global Transaction Banking business in the Midlands with the appointment of Mark Parsons as regional head of its new Trade and Working Capital team.

Parsons, who was previously Head of the Midlands region for Lloyds Bank Commercial Finance’s Mid Markets division, will be responsible for delivering a range of working capital solutions designed to help the region’s mid-sized businesses to grow both domestically and internationally.

The move is part of the bank’s strategy to continue growing its Global Transaction Banking business, which provides payments, liquidity management, working capital and short-term financing to business clients.

It also provides core banking services to help clients grow, both domestically and internationally, through trade finance, cash management, invoice and asset finance.

Headed by mid markets managing director, Kash Ahmad, the Trade and Working Capital team will use the bank’s experience in Trade Finance and Commercial Finance to provide end-to-end working capital solutions to support business growth.

STB increases presence in the South

A SUBSIDIARY of Solihull-based Secure Trust Bank has made a new appointment to strengthen its operation in the Midlands and the South.

Secure Trust Bank Real Estate Finance has appointed Derek Bradstock as Head of the South and Midlands.
 
Bradstock has over 20 years’ experience in real estate, having held a variety of positions at high street banks RBS and NatWest. His most recent role was Director, New Business of Hotels and Leisure at NatWest, based in Mayfair. In this role he was responsible for funding hotel development projects throughout the UK.

During his career, he has been involved with multi-million pound property development and investment opportunities across both residential and commercial schemes.
 
In his new position at Secure Trust Bank Real Estate Finance, he will be actively seeking quality property developments and investors, while expanding the presence of the business in the regions. His main focus will be on residential property developers in the South and Midlands, including student accommodation providers, retirement developments and care villages.
 

First independent chair for Unity Trust Bank

 
UNITY Trust Bank has announced the appointment of Alan Hughes as its first independent chairman.

Hughes (left) spent his entire career in banking. He was on the executive board of HSBC where his responsibilities included the introduction of the HSBC name. He served as Chief Executive of First Direct Bank, ran significant subsidiaries of HSBC and was a main board director of its commercial asset finance group.

Currently, he chairs RateSetter, the UK’s leading peer-to-peer lending platform, serves as a non-executive director of the NewDay Group and is the Honorary Treasurer of Loughborough University. He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, has taught banking and holds a MBA degree from Henley Management College.

Hughes said: “I am delighted to join Unity Trust Bank and look forward to playing my part in delivering our ambitious growth plans. The stars seem to be aligned for a bank that is truly ethical in all it does.

“There is a real and urgent need in the UK for a bank that pursues service to society and sustainability in all it does and where the aims of the shareholders are fully aligned with those of its customers.”

Dave Prentis, General Secretary of Unison and President of Unity Trust Bank, said: “The appointment of Alan Hughes as the first independent chair is an exciting new step in Unity’s development, and will see us continue to deliver our founding principles while driving real growth potential.”