Cambridge & Counties Bank expands North West real estate team with new appointment
Specialist lender Cambridge & Counties Bank has expanded its North West real estate team with the appointment of Paul Bagnall to the role of relationship manager. Based in Manchester, Paul will report to Carl Ashley, regional director – North & Scotland at the bank.
Paul has 20 years’ experience working with property professionals and SMEs. He began his career with the Christie Group as a commercial mortgage broker before taking responsibility for the North region at boutique brokerage Axis Commercial Finance. Prior to joining Cambridge & Counties Bank, Paul spent two and a half years at Yorkshire Building Society as a relationship director.
His appointment reflects the strong growth of the bank’s regional North West property book and strong demand from real estate professionals and SMEs – and the commercial finance brokers that serve them – for its dedicated lending products.
In February, the bank appointed Simon Steer to the role of senior relationship manager in its Sheffield-based real estate finance team to support growth and client demand in and around the Yorkshire market.
In terms of the wider UK market, Cambridge & Counties Bank recently announced it had seen total lending top £1 billion as part of its 10th anniversary celebrations in June this year. Over the past decade, it has grown into a significant competitor in its selected markets and business lines. Deposits have grown to more than £1 billion as at the end of 2021.
Originally focused on the local East Midlands region served through one branch, the Leicester-headquartered bank has seen staff numbers increase to more than 200, with major offices now in Sheffield, Bristol, London, and Glasgow. The addition of Paul means the bank now has 13 members of staff covering the North and Scotland region.
Paul Bagnall, relationship manager at Cambridge & Counties Bank, said: “I’m delighted to have joined Cambridge & Counties Bank and to be supporting its push for greater market share in the North West. The bank’s culture really impressed me as an introducer almost 10 years ago and I’m pleased to now be able to offer the same helpful, entrepreneurial and friendly approach to the broker, property and SME communities across the region.”
Carl Ashley, regional director at Cambridge & Counties Bank said: “We’re delighted to be adding Paul to our successful North & Scotland team. He has extensive experience and a deep understanding of the needs of our clients and the brokers that support them. The North West is a key growth market for the bank and we will continue to invest in the local team.”