HSBC banks on Gordon for success
HSBC UK has appointed Gordon Forster as its new Area Director for Corporate Banking in the North East as part of a drive to support midmarket businesses in the region.
He is one of eight recent appointments across its North East Commercial Banking team, bringing its total headcount to 48.
HSBC UK has seen encouraging signs of growth in the North East’s business community. In the last 12 months, HSBC UK’s net lending to mid-market businesses is up 15%in the region.
The bank has seen increasing demand from North East for support with both management buy-outs and acquisitions, pointing to rising confidence among management teams to grow their business sustainably.
“The mid-market business community in the North East is thriving,” said Gordon.
“The regional appetite for growth is infectious and we are seeing management teams confident in the future.
“HSBC’s investment in the North East business community ensures companies have on-the-ground support through advisors who really understand their challenges.
“We have increased our headcount in this team by 20% in the last few months, including the appointments of Ben Foster and Stuart McLaren to our Corporate Banking team, and Gail Booker to our Large Corporate team, which shows how committed we are to helping the North East to grow.
“Our investment is primarily in our relationship team – people who work hand-inglove with local businesses to help them achieve their ambitions.”