Lloyds Bank has made a significant investment into its Swansea team in order to strengthen its business presence in the city and across West Wales.
The bank has added two new senior managers to its thriving SME team, Jonathan Richards and Mike Lewis, who will work with business customers across South and West Wales. Based in Swansea they will manage a portfolio of businesses with turnover up to £25million.
Jonathan, originally from Ystradgynlais, said: “The last few years have been difficult for businesses everywhere but we believe that things are starting to improve and we want to be in a position to support companies that are looking to invest and grow their business.”
Mike, from Merthyr Tydfil, said: “I am looking forward to going out into the community to meet businesses and to look at ways in which we can help them with the vital funding they need to succeed.”
Ciaran Leaden, Director, Wales SME Banking for Lloyds Bank, said: “I am really pleased to be welcoming Jonathan and Mike to the team, at what is a very important time for us as with the launch in the last few months of a revitalised Lloyds Bank brand.
“Over the past few years the banking sector has faced substantial scrutiny and we increasingly feel that building local relationships with our business customers is vital. Customers need to be at the centre of everything we do and strengthening our business team with these key appointments is a crucial part of this.”
Mike and Jonathan have been working for Lloyds Bank for over 25 years and have substantial experience in the business sector. They will be joining a team with a high level of area knowledge, including existing senior managers Rob Barber and Stuart Griffiths.
Rob and Stuart manage two teams of relationship managers serving SME customers and businesses with turnover up to £5million. Rob covers the Swansea and Bridgend Group while Stuart is responsible for Carmarthenshire and West Wales.
Rob, Senior Manager Commercial, said: “With the arrival of Swansea City into the Premiership, the eyes of the world turned to Swansea and the pride that this generated in the region has been reflected in the business community. We certainly feel that things in the area are going from strength to strength and the businesses we work with are capitalising on this, helping to drive the local economy forward.”