Shawbrook Bank: we expect the momentum to carry into 2022

The financial market has been buoyant for much of 2021 with complex funding needs and rising M&A demand in the South East, says Oliver Wilson (pictured), Managing director of Shawbrook Bank. In this exclusive interview, he discusses the bank's sponsorship of the Solent Deals Awards 2022, picking the best of the best in the region, what it is one should look for in a winner, and what the general trends in the sector are.

The Solent Deals Awards 2022 will take place in the Hilton Ageas Bowl; hosted by television presenter Mark Durden-Smith, the ceremony will celebrate the teams in corporate finance who have been leading change in the professional community.

What has been your main motivator to sponsor the Solent Deals Awards?

This is the Bank’s first year being involved as a sponsor of the Solent Deals Awards, recognising it as one of the leading events in the region’s corporate calendar and giving Shawbrook’s Corporate Lending team the opportunity to play a role in recognising the hard work of the corporate finance community that contributes to the region’s continued success.

What kind of qualities does a team need to take home an award from this event?

Shawbrook Bank is sponsoring the ‘Young Dealmaker of the Year (Under 35)’, an award that recognises the individuals who have had the most significant impact on the completion of deals within the region. Strong nominations should show how the dealmaker has added value and demonstrated innovative thinking in order to meet the needs of their client(s).

What were the challenges your company faced during the pandemic and how did you overcome them?

Throughout the pandemic, many businesses, including ourselves and many of our customers, have needed to rapidly move to homeworking and in many cases, introduce new ways to deliver goods and services. Throughout this time, we have remained consistent in focusing our energy on supporting our existing customers, as well as continuing to lend to new businesses so they can get access to the funding they need to adapt and evolve. It is this consistent approach, even during times of deep uncertainty during the pandemic, coupled with our expertise and proven ability to deliver that makes businesses want to work with us as a specialist lender.

Can you name some of the recent trends in the banking and finance sector in the South East region this year?

The market has been buoyant for much of 2021 with complex funding needs and rising M&A demand as businesses across the South East continue to navigate the opportunities and challenges from the pandemic. As businesses unlock new growth opportunities and trading levels return to pre-pandemic levels across many sectors, more businesses are coming to us for funding solutions to boost their working capital and to fund pivotal events.

What do you expect in the short and medium term?

As we look ahead, despite ongoing uncertainty, we expect the momentum to carry into 2022. There are many great examples of businesses across the South East that have continued to demonstrate resilience with their ability to innovate and adapt. As businesses look to further recover and to unlock more growth opportunities in the short and medium term, it is important that they have access to the right funding support that will enable them to prosper.