The Cumberland Building Society expands its commercial team

The Cumberland Building Society, specialist lenders for hotels, guest houses and other accommodation-led hospitality businesses, has expanded its commercial team with two key hires. Andy Gibson and Georgie McRoberts have been appointed to the team as commercial relationship managers. Gibson has more than 30 years’ experience in banking, having completed his banking exams achieving Fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Bankers status. In his new role, Gibson will look after The Cumberland’s customer base in the south-west of England, as well as hotels and guest houses in the north-west of England. Meanwhile, McRoberts will look after a portfolio of existing connections and deal with brokers and intermediaries to secure new business deals across Cumbria, south-west Scotland, and north-east England. McRoberts also has more than 15 years’ experience in financial services, having previously worked at the Royal Bank of Scotland and Clydesdale Bank. The Cumberland has hired 148 colleagues in the past 12 months, expanding its workforce to 685 across the wider business. On his new appointment, Gibson said: “I’m really pleased to be joining The Cumberland in such an exciting period of growth. I was initially attracted to the role after seeing the passion displayed by the senior team and I’m pleased to see that passion is shared amongst everybody within the business. “The Cumberland and its relationship-managed approach is really filling a void that other banks are leaving. I’m looking forward to helping our existing customers to achieve their ambitions, bringing on more customers, and proving that we truly are a building society making a difference.” McRoberts added: “I’m pleased to have started my role here at The Cumberland which puts people at the heart of what it does. There will undoubtedly be challenges ahead as we face further economic uncertainty but I’m looking forward to supporting our customers in any way that we can.” Scott McKerracher, head of Commercial Lending at The Cumberland, concluded: “Georgie and Andy have both got a wealth of experience which I’m sure will positively impact our commercial team here at The Cumberland. “As our customers continue to come under financial strain due to the ongoing financial crisis, we are pleased to be expanding our team in order to best support them and other potential new customers.”