Allica Bank appoints three new regional relationship managers
Following the successful launch of its direct-to-SME business in 2021 and announcement that it will be acquiring 2,000 customers from Allied Irish Bank (AIB), Allica has appointed three new relationship managers.
Morgan Keating and Tim O’Donovan both join directly from AIB, while Tom Easton also previously worked at the bank. It will help provide a sense of familiarity for the many businesses that will move from AIB to Allica.
Morgan will be specifically focused on supporting businesses across the UK in the licensed and leisure sector, such as pubs and hotels. While Tom and Tim have regional remits – Tom covering the South East (primarily Sussex and Surrey) and Tim, London and the Home Counties.
It brings Allica’s direct-to-SME team up to 10 relationship managers, with 10 more set to be appointed in the coming months. Allica says this reflects its ongoing commitment to providing real, human expertise to businesses at a time when many banks have been forced to strip back their relationship management teams. It says it can only do this because it has been built from the ground up on innovative technology, specifically designed to meet the needs of established owner-managed businesses.
Morgan Keating, relationship manager for the License and Leisure industry, is primarily based in Birmingham and moves to Allica after 16 years at AIB.
“It’s been a torrid time for hospitality and leisure businesses the past couple of years, but as restrictions ease, they finally have a chance to bounce back. Allica has made clear their commitment to the sector and also the value they place in specialist expertise.
“I’m especially looking forward to what we can achieve together with our customers. In particular, I’m pleased to be able to provide continuity to those businesses I have come to know well from my time at AIB.”
Tom Easton, relationship manager for the South East region, has 15 years’ experience assisting businesses in the region, primarily in Sussex and Surrey, and also previously worked at AIB.
“Owner-managed business are often underserved by big banks,” he says. “Allica’s combination of relationship banking and technology is an unmatched business banking proposition. Allica are a safe pair of hands for AIB customers and I look forward to introducing them to what Allica can do!”
Tim O’Donovan joins Allica after 21 years working for AIB. As a relationship manager for London and the South East, he explained that Allica’s goal is to make banking straightforward and convenient for customers. “This very much aligns with my own ethos. With a mixture of great technology and human support, we want business owners to spend less time on their finances and more time getting on with business.
“Allica will be a great home for AIB customers,” he added. “And for me, too!”
Emma Lane, head of client relationship management at Allica, said “It’s fantastic news for Allica and AIB customers that we can bring on board Morgan, Tom, and Tim. Their mix of business banking expertise and knowledge of AIB’s customer base will be key in making the transition from AIB to Allica a smooth and simple one.
“I can’t wait to welcome our first customers to the Allica family in a few weeks’ time. It’ll be a big step in Allica’s ongoing plans to become the best bank for established owner-managed businesses in the UK.”