Sir Gary Verity launches new Leeds Business and Private Banking Centre

29 January 2016

Tourism boss Sir Gary Verity was guest of honour as Yorkshire Bank launched its new Leeds Business and Private Banking Centre (Wednesday 27 January).

Around 150 customers and staff attended the event featuring the Welcome to Yorkshire chief executive, who was knighted last year after bringing the Tour de France, the world’s biggest cycling event, to the region.

Guests enjoyed a networking session before Sir Gary paid tribute to Yorkshire Bank for sponsoring the Tour de Yorkshire cycle race and performed the official opening of the centre. Later in the evening guests were treated to a performance by the 20-strong RSM Leeds Office choir.

Tour de Yorkshire was introduced last year to build on the legacy of the Tour de France’s Le Grand Depart in 2014. Yorkshire Bank sponsors the coveted sprinter’s jersey as part of a wider community partnership with Welcome to Yorkshire.

Other cycling initiatives supported by the Bank include the Yorkshire Bank Bike Libraries. The scheme, which is run in association with Cycle Yorkshire, invites people to donate their old unused cycles for others to borrow.

Sir Gary said: “I am delighted to be able to help celebrate the opening of Yorkshire Bank’s new offices.

“Yorkshire Bank has been instrumental in bringing about the most exciting new cycle race in Europe, the Tour de Yorkshire, as well as the truly inspiring legacy project, the Yorkshire Bank Bike Libraries. Together our aim is to inspire the children of our county to cycle and make it possible for them to have access to a bike, and Yorkshire Bank’s commitment to this project has been outstanding.”

David Maybury, head of Yorkshire Bank’s Leeds Business and Private Banking Centre, said: “It is a pleasure and indeed a privilege to welcome Sir Gary to our new Leeds Centre. He is one of the county’s most inspirational business figures, whose successful campaign to host Le Grand Depart has boosted the local economy and put Yorkshire firmly on the tourist map.

“We hope our guests enjoyed the introduction to our new business and private banking facilities in Leeds and we look forward to welcoming customers old and new to the centre. With our fantastic team, first class premises and in-depth knowledge of the Yorkshire economy we are committed to offering the best possible experience and service.”

The new Leeds City branch, which is conveniently located in the heart of the city’s retail sector at 94-96 Briggate, is part of a £45 million investment programme by the Bank to upgrade facilities to meet changing customer needs.

More than 130 employees are based at the flagship branch, which also offers new state of the art retail facilities including a contemporary, open plan design featuring three counter positions, three open consultation positions, two private interview rooms and two open interview rooms for less formal conversations. Digital screens provide customers with live product information and community activity and the flagship branch is also piloting the introduction of new customer self-service machines. In addition to offering cash withdrawal facilities like traditional ATMs, the new machines enable customers to carry out their own cheque and cash deposits.