Member Article

NatWest renewables team takes home top award

NatWest’s Renewable Energy Team has been named winners of the Skills Development Award at the prestigious 2013 British Renewable Energy Awards.

The team was selected unanimously by judges who applauded their dedication to training staff, at the annual event hosted by the Renewable Energy Association on Friday.

Following the launch of the Renewable Energy Team in 2011, the bank has specially trained over 300 managers looking after small and medium sized businesses across the UK.

The training, accredited by the Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIOBS), was developed alongside Mark Newton from Fisher German and law firm Pinsent Mason.

The training ensures managers have an all round understanding of renewable projects; from the different types of technology, financial returns, Government policy and legal and planning issues.

Head of Renewable Energy for Business and Commercial Banking at NatWest, Ian Burow, said: “We are delighted to have won such a prestigious award presented by the REA.

“We are committed to supporting businesses in achieving their goals in considering renewable energy and energy efficient measures and this award is testament to the hard work put in across the bank since the launch of our dedicated team.

“It is vital that our energy specialists know and understand the renewable energy industry in order to support them through, what can be fairly complicated projects.

“In a new and emerging market like renewable energy, finding the right people or trusted advisers to work with is key to success. Our managers are well equipped to assist and ensure the advice, help and support given is independent, continually adding value and from an organisation they can recognise and trust.”

REA Chief Executive Gaynor Hartnell said: “NatWest didn’t have to do this. There are plenty of other market sectors and other types of small business for it to lend to, not entailing introducing a nationwide training programme.

“Instead it had the vision to proactively set about tooling its Business and Commercial bank managers, to meet the growing market demand for SMEs seeking funding for renewables projects.”

Ian Burrow, Head of Renewable Energy at NatWest, here gives his insight into the UK renewable energy market.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by NatWest and RBS .