The Co-operative Bank has announced that Sarah Barker has joined its SME banking operation.

She will lead the growing relationship management team looking after the needs of SME customers.

Continuing to grow the SME business is a key priority for 2020 and enhancing the service for customers is a real focus as the Co-operative Bank evolves its SME proposition. The relationship management team has already more than doubled in size, with a 57% increase in the number of people working in this team compared with 2019.

Barker has worked in a variety of client facing roles within commercial banking for more than 10 years. She previously worked for Lloyds Banking Group (LBG), where she held a number of leadership roles and worked on a diverse range of different industry sectors since joining its graduate programme in 2006.

As well as relationship and performance management roles, Barker has worked in a number of product areas and most recently was responsible for the development of client propositions at LBG.

Donald Kerr, managing director of SME Banking at the Co-operative Bank, said: “Sarah joining us is a really great start to what will be a busy and exciting year for our SME business. We have a considerable plan for innovation and growth of products and services for 2020 and Sarah will help in the delivery of this.

“Most importantly Sarah will ensure despite a packed programme of activity, we maintain and improve on the relationship management and customer service we deliver to the SMEs, charities and community groups that choose to bank with us.

“Our heritage as part of the co-operative movement in the heart of Manchester, and our customer-led ethical policy sets us apart from other banks and financial service providers and ensuring that we’re delivering a high level of service for our customers is really important to us.

“Sarah will lead our growing service teams to enable us to continue to build and strengthen the relationships we have with our SME customers, many of which share our commitment to values and ethics.”

Barker added: “There has never been more focus on the SME banking market and I am delighted to be joining The Co-operative Bank to lead the relationship management team looking after customers in this important segment.

“I’m looking forward to working with the fantastic team here and our customers to ensure we are delivering the best possible experience to support their needs.”