Bankers back in borough

LEE Crook has been appointed director of business and commercial banking by NatWest and will be heading a team of 11 from refurbished headquarters in Greaves Street, Oldham.

He is also responsible for a team of three at the NatWest branch in Market Street, Middleton, and has a member of his team based at the Royal Bank of Scotland branch in Church Terrace in Oldham town centre.

Mr Crook (39), from Worsley, has been with the bank for 20 years and moves to Oldham from Salford Quays.

NatWest’s return to the borough marks a change in emphasis after the locally based business team was moved to the banking group’s corporate headquarters in Spinningfields, Manchester, several years ago.

Many banking figures familiar to the Oldham business community, including Mr Crook’s deputy Peter Kershaw, and senior manager Steve Lowe, are part of the new team.

Mr Crook said: “I was surprised and extremely pleased to be offered the challenge of coming to Oldham.

“From what I have seen so far, on visits to the borough and attending the business awards last week, there are some outstanding, quality businesses in Oldham and I am looking forward to working here.

“The opportunities for a locally based banking team are massive.”