Damian McGann head of Business Development UK at Santander Corporate Banking, comments on how it is becoming increasingly important to address the need for sustainable energy supplies, and how a local approach to relationship banking could be crucial for businesses operating in this sector.
With the recent instability in the Middle East, attention has again focused on the need to achieve security of energy supplies. In addition more and more countries are developing serious strategies to set about reducing carbon emissions.
From improving and perfecting existing technologies and processes to developing innovative solutions to some of the more intractable challenges in the energy sector, there is a pressing need to make progress. And it's not just the ecological issue that is driving this: renewables and alternative energy, clean tech and biotech are some of the fastest-growing and potentially rewarding sectors in the economy.
In that environment, then, it is extremely encouraging that the UK in general and the North East in particular now hosts a thriving renewable energy sector. The North East has a legacy of excellence in industries that power the world. And while some of those heavy industries may have gone, the skills base remains. The challenge for companies in the region now is to deploy those skills effectively to capitalise fully on the new opportunities.
They will be helped in that by the region's growing pre-eminence in the renewable sector. The National Renewable Energy Centre (Narec) in Blyth and the Centre for Process Innovation in Teesside (CPI) are both symbols of the dynamism and importance of the renewable energy sector in the region. Both show the region is serious about securing its leadership in this sector.
Of course, that can't happen in a vacuum. Businesses need support to maintain their excellence. And as many smaller firms are now emerging from a period of low growth into a more stable and encouraging economy, they need to know their bank will stand alongside them.
For Santander Corporate Banking, 2011 marks a continuation of the good work that began in 2010 when lending to SMEs grew by 26%. Craig Iley is our regional director for the North East and he believes this figure illustrates our commitment to supporting the growth of UK businesses. To do that, we need boots on the ground and the North East is no exception. Craig has a team of banking and sector specialists that bring unparalleled experience and understanding of the region and they are fully attuned to the needs of local businesses.
The team has worked with businesses within the supply chain on a range of renewable projects. In doing so, they have designed solutions that encompass support for exports, working capital facilities and a range of alternative finance packages. They spend most of their time on the road, visiting customers, getting under the hood of businesses and working in partnership to meet the challenges customers face.
Source: www.nebusiness.co.uk
With the recent instability in the Middle East, attention has again focused on the need to achieve security of energy supplies. In addition more and more countries are developing serious strategies to set about reducing carbon emissions.
From improving and perfecting existing technologies and processes to developing innovative solutions to some of the more intractable challenges in the energy sector, there is a pressing need to make progress. And it's not just the ecological issue that is driving this: renewables and alternative energy, clean tech and biotech are some of the fastest-growing and potentially rewarding sectors in the economy.
In that environment, then, it is extremely encouraging that the UK in general and the North East in particular now hosts a thriving renewable energy sector. The North East has a legacy of excellence in industries that power the world. And while some of those heavy industries may have gone, the skills base remains. The challenge for companies in the region now is to deploy those skills effectively to capitalise fully on the new opportunities.
They will be helped in that by the region's growing pre-eminence in the renewable sector. The National Renewable Energy Centre (Narec) in Blyth and the Centre for Process Innovation in Teesside (CPI) are both symbols of the dynamism and importance of the renewable energy sector in the region. Both show the region is serious about securing its leadership in this sector.
Of course, that can't happen in a vacuum. Businesses need support to maintain their excellence. And as many smaller firms are now emerging from a period of low growth into a more stable and encouraging economy, they need to know their bank will stand alongside them.
For Santander Corporate Banking, 2011 marks a continuation of the good work that began in 2010 when lending to SMEs grew by 26%. Craig Iley is our regional director for the North East and he believes this figure illustrates our commitment to supporting the growth of UK businesses. To do that, we need boots on the ground and the North East is no exception. Craig has a team of banking and sector specialists that bring unparalleled experience and understanding of the region and they are fully attuned to the needs of local businesses.
The team has worked with businesses within the supply chain on a range of renewable projects. In doing so, they have designed solutions that encompass support for exports, working capital facilities and a range of alternative finance packages. They spend most of their time on the road, visiting customers, getting under the hood of businesses and working in partnership to meet the challenges customers face.
Source: www.nebusiness.co.uk
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