Cumberland Business
The Team
Simon Whitwham - General Manager
Born in 1965, Simon joined the Society in 2014 as General Manager Operations. Simon’s career since graduating from Keele University in 1986 has been spent in retail financial services with three building societies and a law firm. In July 2017, Simon was appointed General Manager - Cumberland Business, the commercial lending department of the Society.
Bob Bishopp - Head of Commercial Lending
Bob has spent 35 years in banking and the last 20 dealing with SME’s. Formerly regional director for Lloyds Corporate Real Estate in South East England he joined The Cumberland in 2012 to head-up the business team and to build the lending book in its chosen markets. As Head of Commercial Lending, Bob now devotes his time to looking after our largest commercial customers and supporting the lending managers with their more complex and challenging cases. “The Cumberland is a special place to work – small enough to be nimble and innovative but large enough to support a wide spectrum of leisure and hospitality businesses around the UK.” As a former CBI regional council member Bob has a wealth of experience across commercial markets. Back in the day when black & white TV’s were popular Bob competed as a junior international sprinter.
Grant Seaton - Senior Business Lending Manager
Grant has over 22 years’ experience in property and finance. Having started his career at our estate agents in Carlisle, Grant then transferred to the branch network, where he became a Qualified Mortgage Advisor and later, Branch Manager. Since joining the commercial team 6 years ago, Grant has earned an LIBF Diploma in Banking and Finance and as Senior Business Lending Manager, Grant works with a team of exceptional Business Lending Managers to support the creation of successful finance applications. Grant says: “As an organisation we genuinely put the customer at the heart of what we do and I love that this is the case. It makes The Cumberland a great place to work knowing that we can offer the best service possible to our clients.” Grant spends a lot of his spare time getting involved with community and charity projects. Last year he ran 11 half marathons to raise £7700 for the Jigsaw Children’s Hospice.
Peter Wood - Business Lending Manager
Peter joined the Cumberland Business team at the Cumberland in 2004 having previously worked for HSBC for almost 30 years. He worked in a number of cities in the North of England before settling in Cumbria with his family over 20 years ago. Most of Peter's career has been spent lending money to a wide range of businesses.
Linda Slinger - Business Lending Manager
Linda has worked in business banking and commercial mortgages since 2007, when she joined The Cumberland. Before this she worked in a business-to-business environment in a variety of industries. Linda has gained the Professional Certificate in Banking and the Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice whilst working for The Cumberland and is currently a Business Lending Manager. Lending predominantly in the hospitality sector, she particularly enjoys working with customers looking for a lifestyle change and spending time getting to know their own individual requirements.
Paul Webster - Business Lending Manager
Paul joined the Society in 2008 after more than 30 years working for High Street banks in both retail and business lending positions. His current role as a Business Lending Manager sees him assisting clients and brokers with a wide range of commercial mortgage propositions. Working closely, either directly with the customer or via their broker, Paul enjoys using his vast business lending experience to assist his many clients to fulfill their business dreams and ambitions. Every potential deal is different and presents its own challenges. Paul enjoys getting under the skin of these deals, often involving a face-to-face meeting with the clients, in order to use his experience to shape a deal that is right for both The Cumberland and his customers.
Mandy Pearson - Business Lending Manager
Mandy joined The Cumberland in 2015 as a Business Lending Manager having previously worked in commercial and retail banking for Nat West/RBS and HSBC in Cumbria and North Lancashire. Mandy has helped many customers with finance for their property purchases over the last few years. Mandy loves working closely with customers to find the best solution for their needs and has received some lovely feedback for going above and beyond.
David Wallace - Business Lending Manager
David joined The Cumberland straight from school in 1983. He has undertaken a variety of roles, including Branch Manager at Ambleside and Windermere branches. He joined the commercial lending team in 1998. Day-to-day he assesses lending applications and liaises with customers from the outset to completion, as well as maintaining long term customer relationships.
Lee Doswell - Business Lending Manager
Lee has over 20 years experience working in the banking sector, having specialised in both residential & commercial lending throughout this time. Lee joined The Cumberland in 1995 and spent many years in the branch network before making the move into the commercial team in 2014. He currently works as a Business Lending Manager dealing with new lending enquiries, working closing with both customers and introducers on a day-day basis. Lee obtained the Certificate of Professional Banking qualification in the last few years, which helps to provide a better insight into his role. Lee enjoys working in this challenging but rewarding environment, assisting both prospective and existing business owners to achieve their business goals.
Chris Dacre - Business Lending Manager
Chris has 14 years experience in personal & commercial banking, as well as completing banking exams & professional certificates as part of his career development.Chris joined the Society in 2016 having previously worked as a Bank Manager and Business Manager for high street banks. He has helped many customers to purchase their dream business or expand their investment portfolios. Chris enjoys discussing his clients’ future plans and helping them to achieve their goals, and relishes complex problems requiring a creative solution.
Lauren Sawczuk - Business Lending Support Supervisor
Lauren joined The Cumberland in 2017 as a Lending Support Officer after working in retail management for 12 years. Lauren studied for bookkeeping and accounting qualifications at Carlisle College whilst looking to move her management career to the finance sector. She was promoted to Lending Support Supervisor in September 2018 and manages the team of Lending Support Officers. Lauren has also gained a Certificate in Business Banking and Conduct qualification during her time at The Cumberland. Lauren enjoys working with and motivating her team to provide excellent customer service, and networking with other professionals.
Graeme Rayson - Business Lending Support Officer
Graeme joined the Society in 2010 spending 4 years in our accounts department before moving to the commercial lending team in 2014. He currently works as a Lending Support Officer dealing with new lending enquiries, mortgage application processing and liaises on a day-to-day basis with our customers, introducers, valuers and solicitors. He has also gained a Certificate in Business Banking & Conduct qualification during his time here. Graeme is also a workplace Mental Health First Aider.
Christine Bushby - Business Support Officer
Christine has 18 years experience in administration in several business areas including financial, food production and logistics. Christine joined The Cumberland in 2017 as a Lending Support Officer, and liaises on a day to day basis with our customers, head office and branch teams. Christine especially enjoys dealing with the wide variety of businesses that use our Business Banking services.
Charlotte Owen - Business Lending Support Officer
Charlotte joined The Cumberland in 2014 and has worked across several teams including Money Transmissions and Customer Services. She started working with the Commercial Lending team as a Lending Support Officer in 2017 and has since passed her Certificate in Business Banking Level 3. Charlotte likes new challenges, the variety of tasks involved in her role, interacting with people and constantly learning.
Marc Greaves - Business Lending Support Officer
Marc graduated from Northumbria University in 2015. He joined us in January 2019 as a Lending Support Officer after 3 years working as a Banking Associate for Virgin Money, where he was also a Business Banking Champion. In his role, Marc handles new lending queries and mortgage application processing whilst liaising with our customers, introducers, solicitors and valuers. Marc enjoys seeing the variety of the enquiries we receive and looks forward to continuing his career at The Cumberland.
Kerrie Deakin - Business Lending Support Officer
Kerrie has over 10 years experience in commercial finance and joined The Cumberland in 2010. She currently works as a Lending Support Officer dealing with new lending enquiries, mortgage application processing and liaises on a day-to-day basis with our customers, introducers, valuers and Solicitors. Kerrie has also gained a Certificate in Business Banking & Conduct qualification whilst working here. She is always interested to deal with different customers’ unique circumstances and enjoys seeing the case through from enquiry to completion and beyond.