This month marks an exciting phase at Cambridge & Counties Bank as we welcome our new Head of Product & Proposition. We sat down with him to discuss his first experiences, his vision for the role, and some personal insights.
How has your first month at the bank been?
It's been very busy! It's a bit of a whirlwind start, meeting lots of new people, learning new processes, and ways of working. I'm really enjoying the change and the new challenge—I am learning new things every day.
What attracted you to join Cambridge & Counties Bank?
It's a great time to be joining the bank as we focus on growth and deepening relationships with our new and existing customers. It was clear from the interview process that the bank has a great work culture, which was also really important to me, as not only does it make it easier to get things done, but good culture always flows into good customer outcomes!
What are your priorities in your first year at Cambridge & Counties Bank as Head of Product & Proposition?
With the role and department being totally new for Cambridge & Counties, my first priority is creating a product function that supports both the wider organisation and our customers. After years in product management, coming into an organisation that has been successfully running without one has really challenged my view of what a product team does and where it adds value.
What does the perfect Sunday morning look like to you?
Definitely a lie-in to start! Then catching the Formula One, having Sunday lunch afterwards, and then coming home to watch Aston Villa win, and probably sneaking in a gym session after the football as well!
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Somewhere warm all year around—California? My other half loves winter Christmas though, so we’d probably have to fly back to the UK for a few weeks for that!
What does that mean for our brokers and customers?
I’d expect us to be launching new products and propositions more regularly. One of the key aims of product management is to make journeys more efficient and generally easier for our brokers and customers to do business with us. As always, I’d encourage brokers and customers to reach out to us with their feedback in this space!
If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would it be and why?
Probably George Russell (Formula One driver) on a race day. I’d obviously need to have his driving skills but driving a Formula One car in a race is an adrenaline rush only a select few ever get to experience!