HSBC has made a number of key appointments to its Bristol and Bath Commercial Centre, bringing in Nick Stork and Chris Jones as Area Commercial Director and Deputy Area Commercial Director respectively.
In addition, the team has been bolstered by Paul Williams’ appointment as Senior International Commercial Manager and Lee Newman as Senior Commercial Manager.
The appointments strengthen HSBC’s presence in the region, ensuring the bank offers comprehensive support to businesses trading internationally and domestically. Nick will manage HSBC’s commercial banking operations in the region and report to Gary Burton, Regional Commercial Director for the South West and Wales. In his new role, Nick will focus on supporting businesses with a turnover of between £2m and £30m, and ensuring that HSBC continues to meet the needs of its commercial clients.
Nick has been with HSBC for seven years, most recently as Divisional Invoice Finance Manager for the South West and Wales. Nick is a chartered accountant, having trained with PwC, and held group accountant and financial controller roles prior to joining HSBC. He is married with three children (two girls and a boy), and was a semi-professional rugby player, having had spells with Cardiff and Aberavon.
Commenting on his new role, he said: “I’m looking forward to providing both new and existing customers in Bristol and Bath with the support needed to achieve their domestic and international growth plans. This team has a strong deal background and has many years’ experience of working on transactions that have helped businesses achieve their goals. It was important that we brought people in who have solid deal experience and can help and guide customers and I’m confident that the Bristol and Bath business community will feel the benefit.”
Gary Burton, Regional Commercial Director for the South West and Wales, welcomed Nick and his colleagues to the region. He said: “These appointments bolster an already impressive team in the Bristol and Bath area and demonstrate HSBC’s commitment to providing excellent service to its customers. We are growing our international presence in the region to help local businesses open up overseas markets.”
Chris Jones has been with HSBC for 35 years and joins the centre from a senior role in the Cornwall area. Chris has spent the majority of his HSBC career working with SME customers and within the South West and Wales regions, including a spell as Head of Commercial for the Bath area in the mid-2000s. Chris is married with four daughters and enjoys all sports, supporting Everton FC and the Wales national rugby team, walking and reading.
Paul Williams has been with HSBC for 16 years, predominantly in Commercial roles throughout Wales. Paul will focus on supporting businesses with a turnover of between £2 million and £30 million trading, or aspiring to trade, internationally. HSBC is doubling its number of International Commercial Managers in the South West to 27 and Paul’s appointment brings the number of International Commercial Managers in Bristol and Bath to four. Paul is from Wales, married with two children and has an interest in all sports, but particularly rugby.
Lee Newman takes the role of Senior Commercial Manager, focussing on supporting domestic customers. Lee has been with HSBC for 24 years and has spent the majority of career in Wales working with SME-sized businesses.
