Top financial services professional takes up key role with Yorkshire Bank

04/09/07

One of the best known figures in Yorkshire's financial services industry is taking up the new position of chairman of Yorkshire Bank's Leeds Financial Solutions Centre (FSC).

John Richardson, 60, who has followed dual careers as a lawyer and a banker, will work closely with Yorkshire Bank's Leeds FSC team of 110 (?) commercial and private banking specialists, to capitalise on the bank's continuing growth.
 
During a 39-year-career in corporate finance in Leeds and London, which started as a senior management trainee with Nat West, John Richardson has been involved in venture capital, acquisition finance and corporate legal services.

He established the Northern office of Lloyds Merchant Bank, Leeds, which he led, in 1989, moving to national law firm Eversheds in 1993 as director of corporate finance and then director of client services where he was closely involved with the firm's growth. He then moved to Coutts & Co, as senior banker, Yorkshire Region, in 2002 after being head hunted.

John Richardson is also a non executive director of multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy, White Young Green plc; a former chairman of Leeds Financial Services Initiative, a Council Member of Leeds Chamber of Commerce and has been a deputy lieutenant of West Yorkshire since 2003.

He says: "Yorkshire Bank is gaining a substantial reputation as a key provider to Leeds businesses and I look forward to working closely with the Leeds team as they continue to compete in the larger corporate market."

Patrick Walton, managing partner of the Leeds FSC continued: "Very few people can match John Richard's vision and experience in the Leeds financial services community. We very much look forward to working closely with him and benefiting from his substantial expertise as part of our growth plans."

Yorkshire Bank's appointment of local chairman to the region's FSCs is unique in UK banking. Chairmen undertake a range of roles encompassing business development, advice to clients and acting as business mentors to staff.

For further information contact:

Natasha Lobley      07974 688 501

Allan Barr              07796 181 043

About Yorkshire Bank
Yorkshire Bank was founded in 1859 in Halifax, West Yorkshire.  Today, the Bank has 190 branches, a strong personal customer base and a growing business capability in the North of England and the Midlands.  In 2006, Yorkshire Bank was voted the UK's 'Best Business Bank' by the Forum of Private Business.

Financial Solutions Centres:
Yorkshire Bank Financial Solutions Centres (FSC) offer Members a tailored range of business and private banking services under one roof. A team of specialist partners, each with considerable local experience, work together to provide Members with end to end solutions for their business and private banking needs. In addition to banking services, the FSCs also operate as a hub for local business, with a range of networking opportunities and meeting facilities available as a benefit of membership. 
Over 70 FSCs are located around the UK and in 2006 represented over half of the National Australia Bank Group's UK income.