10 Questions with Emma Cox of Shawbrook Bank

An experienced BDM who's been responsible for most of the South of England at one point or another, Emma Cox - Shawbrook Bank's Regional Sales Manager – chats to B&C about

An experienced BDM who’s been responsible for most of the South of England at one point or another, Emma Cox - Shawbrook Bank’s Regional Sales Manager – chats to B&C about photography, being Charlize Theron and exciting developments in 2013…

B&C: How long have you been a part of the industry, and how did you come to work at Shawbrook?

EC: I have been in the industry about 14 years and have been working at a lender for eight of those: I worked as a BDM in central London, initially at Commercial First and then, when Shawbrook purchased the originations functionality, I came across to Shawbrook as an RDM managing the South East region. I went from Kent across to Southampton, up to Watford, into London and everywhere in between. It’s great to be able to work for a bank who believes so heavily in supporting brokers - makes my job of selling Shawbrook that bit easier!

 

What is your role at Shawbrook?

I am a Regional Sales Manager. My main focus is on building relationships with introducers. That can be helping with training, offering support on product awareness and even, on occasion, meeting some of the clients. Basically we want to make the process as easy and efficient as possible for our introducers and their clients. Finding the right deals and ensuring a smooth application process is the key to my job.

What did you want to be when you were younger?

I am pretty sure that I didn’t have financial services in mind! I wanted to be a photographer. I don’t do much now - because of time – and I don’t think I was very good to be honest, so it’s probably for the best that I didn’t pursue that!

With all the recent appointments, such as Ian Henderson becoming the new CEO, are things moving in a new direction at Shawbrook?

It’s very early days but it is really exciting. Personally, I am really looking forward to being part of the new chapter at Shawbrook. I am away from the office a lot with my role, but it is great to have steady hands at the helm and Shawbrook is looking to the future with very ambitious growth plans.

What would be the one thing you’d take to a desert island, and why?

I would definitely take music with me. It would be great for company and I would be singing and dancing along to it. I would want to take someone’s greatest hits with me but I don’t know whose - I like a bit of everything.

 

If you could change one thing about the industry, what would it be?

I’m not sure there is anything that I would like to change, though I would like more opportunities to borrow money and to see the market grow.

How has Shawbrook’s first year in the short term lending market been?

 

It has been so exciting and really different for me, but I have really enjoyed it. It has been a massive learning curve for Shawbrook but we have risen to the challenge and have made a great start. We still have so much to do but we are determined to develop and become a key lender in this market.

If there was a film made of your life, who would you want to play you and why?

It is really hard to choose! I would love to have Charlize Theron play me because I would love to look like her! I don’t think that I do but it would be great if she played me. I would want her looks along with the personality of someone really funny. 

 

How would you describe the atmosphere at the Shawbrook offices in Brentwood?

I think there is a really nice atmosphere at Shawbrook: everyone is so passionate on giving his or her very best. We have a lot of fun but there is a great deal of hard work going on at the same time. The support of the team is fantastic and that helps me to be able to deliver on what the broker market needs. It’s refreshing that everyone’s feedback is welcomed and decisions are made of the back of our responses. All of these make it really enjoyable to come to work. 

 

What are your predictions for the short term sector in 2013?

It is a growing sector and will become more sophisticated. I think there will be more targeted products for the investor market. The short term sector will help the entire market to grow, so I think it will be ‘onwards and upwards’ in 2013. 

Source: Bridging & Commercial — https://bridgingandcommercial.co.uk/10-questions-with-emma-cox-of-shawbrook-bank