ANITA Crowther is back in Huddersfield – and she’s more than happy to be here!
The 38-year-old Heckmondwike mother of two became manager of the town centre branch of the Yorkshire Bank only in June, but knows the town well from earlier in her career when she worked at the New Street site for a couple of years.
“I didn’t know that 12 years later I would be back at the branch in a different role, but it is good to be here,” she says.
“I think the town is growing, which is partly thanks to the development of the university. The shops are full and Huddersfield feels like a town where there is an awful lot going on and a lot to get involved in.”
One of Anita’s aims following her return to Huddersfield is to get to know her fellow professionals in the town through the many regular networking sessions and events such as the forthcoming Kirklees Business Conference at the Galpharm Stadium.
“Huddersfield is a much busier town that some of the others I have worked in,” she says. “It is very friendly and welcoming.”
The Yorkshire Bank has been part of the Huddersfield business community for many years and Anita values its strong local ties.
The New Street branch was refurbished a few years ago to make the most of its Victorian decor, creating more space and light. The branch has several rooms for customers to talk to branch staff – with each room named after “local heroes” such as Harold Wilson, Roy Castle and James Mason.
The Yorkshire Bank is part of the National Australia Banking Group, which also owns the Clydesdale in the UK.
But Anita says: “We began as the Penny Bank in Halifax and we have retained our Yorkshire identity. Many of our customers have been with us for many years. Looking after the customer and meeting their needs are our priorities. We strive to provide exceptional customer service and we seek to differentiate ourselves from the competition.
“Banking has changed because it is not always necessary to go into a branch to do everything. There is internet banking and telephone banking, but we still value local branches. In the current climate, customers are coming in for advice and they are thinking more deeply before making financial choices.
“There are 20 staff at Huddersfield with a team of 16 in the bank as well as a savings specialist and a mortgage adviser. We also have a business banking unit.
“Part of my job is to make sure the staff are highly motivated, to help them progress their careers as they move onwards and upwards. Services and sales are our top priorities and to have the team in one location makes communication much easier.
“We have good morale in the branch with a good mix of people with different interests.”
The branch is proud of its community links. The Yorkshire Bank is working with its charity partner Help for Hospices, which means Anita and her team have linked up with Kirkwood Hospice at Dalton.
“We have had a number of fundraising events,” says Anita. “Ten members of staff took part in It’s A Knockout at the DRAM Centre in Dalton and raised £600, which the bank will match.”
Bank worker Sarah Whitworth aims to overcome her fear of heights by taking part in a 10,000ft sky-dive on September 18 to raise cash for the hospice. The bank is helping to boost Sarah’s takings with a cake sale this Friday when a hospice stall will also be set up.