High-profile speakers lined up for regional banking event

National banking and finance experts will be discussing the future of regional banking at a high profile event in Gateshead.

The event has been organised by IPPR North with support from the North East LEP and the Financial Services Forum and will take place on June 7 at the Baltic in Gateshead.

Lined up to speak at the high-profile event are Greg Clark MP, Financial Secretary to the Treasury and founder and former chairman of Metro Bank, Anthony Thompson.

Mr Thomson will focus on the issues and challenges he faced in launching Metro Bank and will discuss whether the future lies in new regional banks.

Following the presentations, speakers will answer questions from the audience in a panel chaired by Guy Opperman MP, to discuss the pros and cons of regional banking.

Other featured speakers are, Sam Woods, Director, Domestic UK Banks Division, Prudential Regulatory Authority and Victoria Raffe, Director, Authorisations, Financial Conduct Authority.

Mr Woods will look at banking competition issues and regional banks while Ms Raffle will talk about the FCA’s role in the new regulatory framework.

Jeremy Middleton, chair of the North East LEP’s investment panel, Gary Wilkinson, of Cambridge@Counties Bank, Sarah Green, Director of North East CBI and Dr Thomas Keidel, Director and Head of Financial Market Relations, Deutscher Sparkassen are also in the line-up.

Gary Wilkinson of Cambridge and Counties Bank will explain the remit of this business bank, launched last year to focus on providing loans to, and receiving deposits from, SMEs.

Jeremy Middleton, chair of the North East LEP’s investment panel will discuss the North East’s access to finance, including bank and asset finance, venture capital funding and working capital funding.

He said: “Access to finance across the North East LEP area is seen as a barrier to growth by many businesses.

“We want to encourage expansion of growing companies.

“A regional bank would understand the needs of the region and be able to react effectively, unblocking financial bottlenecks that frustrate business owners.

“I’m delighted that Anthony Thomson and Greg Clark – both originally from the North East – are actively involved in debating this important topic.

“Regional banking is identified as a recommendation by the Adonis review to help local businesses large and small access finance efficiently.”

The event is free and will take place from 10.30am-2.30pm including a buffet lunch at the Baltic Centre, Gateshead on Friday 7 June.

Anyone interested in attending should e-mail Jacqueline Wills via jw@thefsforum.co.uk. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.