The Knowledge Exchange with Gavin Opperman
The Knowledge Exchange is a discussion series aimed to give you access to leading figures in different sectors each week. The focus will be on sharing insight and expertise about how we emerge and navigate the evolving climate during and post Covid-19 and how businesses and sectors can best adapt, renew and recover. The discussions will feature experts with a focus sector or challenge covered each week.
During this session pro-manchester's chief exec, Sam Booth will be interviewing Virgin Money’s Group Business Banking Director, Gavin Opperman. Gavin will be sharing his experiences and insights leading the banks business franchise during the COVID crisis. The discussion will explore what support is out there for the customers, how has the business changed and what does the future look like look like in the post pandemic world.
About the Speakers:
Sam Booth is Co-Chief Exec of pro-manchester, the growth network that brings together ambitious businesses across Greater Manchester to connect, develop and shape the future of the city region.
Sam leads the organisation’s outward-facing agenda, building strong relationships across the region and working closely with partners, members and stakeholders to understand where the biggest opportunities are for business. She brings an external perspective to pro-manchester’s work, helping to identify what matters now, where momentum is building, and how the organisation can create the right conditions for collaboration, growth and influence.
Alongside Co-Chief Exec Nicola McCormick, Sam is part of a leadership model that breaks from tradition. Together, they lead pro-manchester through a shared, collaborative approach that reflects the organisation’s belief in community, support and creating opportunity together. As two women leading side by side, they are proud to be showing that in Manchester, leadership can look different – and stronger – when it is built on partnership.
Sam has been at pro-manchester for 17 years and has been an integral part of its growth. A firm part of the Manchester business community, Sam is a familiar face to most, constantly and efficiently working to bring businesses together in the city region.
Sam also sits on the board of trustees for Forever Manchester, a charity that supports community activity across Greater Manchester. As well as this, Sam also sits on the Greater Manchester Economic Resilience Board, the Greater Manchester Organisational Representatives Group, the Manchester Business Sounding Board, the Bee Net Zero Advisory Board and the Manchester tech hub Board. In 2019 Sam also became the Regional Deputy Chair of TheCityUK, where she helps to engage the national body on a regional level on behalf of individuals in the financial and professional services industries.
Gavin leads the bank’s Business franchise. He has spent in excess of 30 years following his passion in banking across the globe in various leadership roles. His personal goal is to: “Strive to be the best version of myself and having fun on my journey”. He describes his role as: “I believe in developing and investing in a strong team, whose combined skills, knowledge, energy, passion and will to succeed for our customers and stakeholders will set us apart from the rest”. As a believer in a strong team, it is pivotal they have clarity of direction based on an executable strategic plan this will enable the step change required for us to move from an existing SME business model to a full service Business bank.
Interested In The Event?
If you’re interested in attending, you can book online here.
