Shawbrook Bank’s Graduate Scheme takes on a bright generation of future talent

By Bridging Loan Directory 24th October 2016

Shawbrook’s Commercial Mortgages team has welcomed three new employees into its ranks, from the first wave of their new Graduate Scheme programme

A Bank-wide initiative, designed to attract and train the Shawbrook employees of tomorrow was launched over the summer. Graduates will experience a two year rotational leadership development programme within one of five business units, which are Business Finance, Consumer Finance, Property Finance (Commercial and Residential Mortgages), Group Risk or Group Finance.

Shawbrook Commercial’s initial intake this year was focused around finding innovative and adaptable graduates that are a close fit with the Bank’s core values. With offices in Brentwood, Dorking, London, Manchester and Glasgow, successful applicants can be placed in any one of Shawbrook’s expanding regional bases.

The three new employees in the Commercial Mortgages team are Luke Randell, Oliver Porter and Wojciech Babiarczuk.

Randell joins after graduating from the University of Birmingham, where he attained his Masters for History after gaining a Bachelor of Arts degree at York St. John University in the same subject.
He had the following to say on what drew him to apply for Shawbrook’s fledgling graduate programme:

“I was looking at a number of Graduate Schemes but the most important thing for me was finding a role that was challenging and mixed day-to-day, with a real opportunity to evolve into a position of responsibility. After a number of interviews my instincts told me that Shawbrook would be the best place for me, considering their rapid growth since launching in 2011 and their positive reputation in the market.”

Porter joins after finishing a Masters in Sports Business Management and a Bachelor of Arts in Sports Development, both at Sheffield Hallam University and echoes Randell in his reasons for joining Shawbrook:

“After doing my research into Shawbrook and learning more about the specialist lender market, it was a no-brainer for me to apply for their first ever Graduate Scheme. Despite my educational background not being based within economics, some of my university modules involved elements of the financial services industry and it was a subject which I found fascinating. The 2020 strategic vision for the Bank was also impressive and I feel like I’m joining during a period of exciting growth – which is a significant reason for any graduate to join a progressive institution like Shawbrook.”

Babiarczuk recently graduated with a Law degree from Brunel University London and joined the scheme a few weeks before both Randell and Porter. He is pleased with the progress he’s already making within the Commercial Mortgages team:

“I really wanted to join Shawbrook because it stood out to me as a completely different bank. Whilst on a previous work placement the only aspect of banking I did not enjoy was excessive bureaucracy and a lack of personal relationships with clients. In the short time I’ve been here, I’ve benefited from a structured and encouraging working environment whilst learning rapidly about the Bank’s systems and processes. I think that Shawbrook offers it all for graduates who are eager to pursue a career within banking and finance.”

Emma Cox, Sales Director for Shawbrook Commercial Mortgages, is a supporter of the Bank’s new Graduate Scheme and is excited about what it means for the future:

“We invested heavily into our recruitment drive for this first intake, with a Bank-wide programme designed to attract the most talented university graduates of 2016.

“Thus far we have been pleased by the promising start that Luke, Oliver and Wojciech have made to life at Shawbrook, after undergoing a rigorous interview process which highlighted their tenacity and natural talent. It’s now up to them – with the training infrastructure and personalised support we provide on an ongoing basis – to continue their professional development whilst contributing to what we are confident will be a prosperous period of growth for Shawbrook Commercial and our Broker Partners.”