Together appoints UK head of field sales

By Bridging Loan Directory 6th January 2020

An experienced banking expert has joined Together to lead its professional sector and auction teams as the specialist lender bolsters its presence across the UK.

Sean Williams, 52, pictured, who spent over three decades with the Yorkshire Bank, takes up his new role as head of field sales with Together this month (January).

He will be responsible for the professional sector team of experienced development directors operating in regions across the UK, helping entrepreneurs and SMEs realise their business ambitions.

Sean will also lead the Manchester-based lender’s auction team, which provides finance for landlords and investors buying residential, commercial and semi-commercial properties through some of the country’s largest auction houses.

He said:

“I can’t wait to get started. I have long been familiar with the business and its impressive growth trajectory, as well as the strong customer ethos and culture that underpins it – and I have a lot of admiration for what’s been achieved so far. It’s a fast-paced and dynamic organisation and I’m looking forward to helping realise its great ambitions for the future.”

The father-of-four from Penwortham, near Preston, started his career with the Yorkshire Bank in Halifax in 1983 as a 16-year-old clerk and worked his way up through the ranks.

Before joining Together, Sean has previously led a corporate and commercial team and was most recently the regional head of customer banking for CYBG (Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banking Group) in Manchester and the North West.

In his last position, he led a multi-million pound landmark project to open B Works, a flagship SME hub, retail store and financial lifestyle space on Market Street in Manchester city centre. Sean decided to leave CYBG when it rebranded as Virgin Money UK Plc late last year.

Sean said:

“It was a huge decision to leave the organisation having been there all of my career but I was ready for a new challenge and I’m relishing taking up an exciting new growth opportunity with Together and working with a great team.”

Sean will report to Chris Baguley, commercial managing director at Together, who previously worked alongside him at Yorkshire Bank. Chris said he was “delighted” to welcome Sean to the business.

Chris said: “He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new position, having worked in senior banking with CYBG for many years. This will help him support and grow our commercial business, which has seen tremendous success over the past few years.”

Sean is a non-executive board director of business development organisation Pro-Manchester, and sits on the partner advisory panel of GC Business Growth Hub. He is a passionate skier, cyclist, family man and football supporter; Sean is a Manchester United fan and also follows his son, Barnsley defender Ben, 20, who has represented Wales at under 21 level.