Head
–to–
Head
Helen Smith,
Group Business Development Director, Benenden
Simon Wright,
Regional Director, Yorkshire Bank
WHAT’S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW?
WHAT’S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW?
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
Right now I’m working through emails and getting myself
organised. After a few, very hectic weeks, it’s great to have a day
putting things in place with a good Yorkshire cuppa!
Energetic, excitable, always looking to meet new people, explore
new opportunities and develop myself and my excellent team.
WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR JOB TODAY?
Every day it has to be the people I work with. They manage to
inspire me and ground me in equal measure.
IF YOU COULD DO ANY JOB IN THE WORLD, WHAT WOULD
IT BE AND WHY?
Is it too corny to say my current job?! The breadth and variety in
the role tick all the boxes for me. Alternatively a wine taster – for
obvious reasons!
WHAT OPPORTUNITIES LED YOU TO WHERE YOU ARE
TODAY?
I was about to take a career break when I arranged to have a coffee
with the Chief Executive of Benenden who I knew from a previous
organisation. A few weeks later, a temporary maternity cover role at
Benenden came up and I decided to put the career break on hold.
WHO HAS GIVEN YOU THE MOST INSPIRATION?
On the 8th of February, we became an independent bank for the
first time in over 100 years. This represents an exciting opportunity
for Yorkshire Bank as we are now responsible for our own destiny.
Past experiences have helped shape the person I am today
– customer and commercially focused, prepared to roll my
sleeves up and get stuck in and respectful of the skills of people
within my team.
WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR JOB TODAY?
Meeting customers and spending time with them to understand
their business, their strategy/plans for the future and how I can
help them.
IF YOU COULD DO ANY JOB IN THE WORLD, WHAT WOULD
IT BE AND WHY?
Chief Executive of Middlesbrough Football Club!
WHAT OPPORTUNITIES LED YOU TO WHERE YOU ARE
TODAY?
I joined the bank through the Yorkshire Bank Graduate Scheme
23 years ago. Working in a bank of this size, I believe it has
presented me with opportunities to develop my career across all
aspects of banking.
Pure communication
through networking
Jeffrey Cohen is the joint managing
director of telecoms business, Time
Communications. The Wakefieldbased business supplies and installs
telephone systems and everything that
interfaces with a telephone system,
such as voice mail and headsets.
My dad, he was a typical “lad” at school, bunking off and messing
about, eventually leaving school with minimal qualifications. When
my mum was pregnant with me, he decided to grow up and went to
night school, gained his accountancy qualifications and eventually
became a finance director and latterly ran his own business.
WHO HAS GIVEN YOU THE MOST INSPIRATION?
Jeffrey told us: “I have attended Pure
Networking for several years both
in Leeds and York and have found
this to be an integral part of my
networking strategy.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE JUST
STARTING OUT IN BUSINESS?
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE JUST
STARTING OUT IN BUSINESS?
“Pure Networking always takes place in
the morning with a finish time around
9:30am thereby not intruding into the
working day. I’ve always found a varied
mix of attendees across many different
business sectors which is ideal for a
business like ours.
Surround yourself with great people who share your vision but who
challenge you to be better every step of the way!
WHAT’S YOUR PERSONAL MOTTO?
My dad – he successfully ran his own business for over 20 years.
He taught me so much about what it takes to succeed. Also Nelson
Mandela – to have that much compassion and humility after 27
years of incarceration, and then unite a country, takes a unique man.
Be clear on what you stand for and then stay true to your goals.
Know your strengths and weaknesses and ensure you have the
support of people that complement you.
You only do something for the first time once, so make sure you
enjoy it. Helps to combat any nerves I might have.
WHAT’S YOUR PERSONAL MOTTO?
WHAT WORD OR PHRASE DO YOU OVERUSE THE MOST?
WHAT WORD OR PHRASE DO YOU OVERUSE THE MOST?
WHAT SONG WOULD BE YOUR ENTRANCE MUSIC AT A
BOXING MATCH?
WHAT SONG WOULD BE YOUR ENTRANCE MUSIC AT A
BOXING MATCH?
“Brilliant” or “we just need to work out a path through it!”
One moment in time by Whitney Houston (not sure it could be any
more cheesy!)
HOW HAS CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP HELPED YOUR
ORGANISATION?
We’ve met some great business contacts, shared some excellent
discussions and got the name of Benenden further out around
Yorkshire.
20
HEAD TO HEAD
Treat others as you would expect to be treated.
“It always starts and ends with the customer.”
Another one bites the dust by Queen.
HOW HAS CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP