Ian Mitchelmore

The UK Network will see team members in each of the English regions and devolved nations work on identifying and helping to reduce imbalances in access to finance for smaller UK businesses.

Mr Mitchelmore will represent the UK Network across Scotland and will engage closely with business finance stakeholders in the area. He will be supporting Jennifer Donnellan, the recently appointed UK Network director for devolved nations.

He has spent most of his 35-year career at Bank of Scotland in both London and Edinburgh, specialising in relationship banking.

Since 2014, Mr Mitchelmore has worked at the Scottish Investment Bank, the investment arm of Scottish Enterprise, where he led the financial readiness team for three years, helping Scottish smaller businesses with their fund raising activities.

Ms Donnellan said: “I’m delighted to have Ian on board. He brings a wealth of experience to the team, from his time working both in the Scottish Investment Bank and in banking overall. I know he will be a fantastic asset for the UK Network and the British Business Bank. There’s a lot to get stuck into across Scotland and we’re both looking forward to hitting the ground running in 2019.”

Mr Mitchelmore added: “This is an exciting time to be joining the Bank as it builds its regional capability. I am really looking forward to engaging with the Scottish business community to raise awareness of our activities and the availability of and access to finance options for smaller businesses in Scotland.”