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 has been at pro-manchester for 17 years and has been an integral part of its growth from a small, effective membership network to a sophisticated business development organisation. 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.
As chief executive, Sam is responsible for the organisation’s corporate engagement as well managing all existing key partnerships and member relationships. Sam manages the day-to-day running and strategic direction of the business alongside Nicola McCormick – COO. They run the organisation together as equal partners with shared responsibility.
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. In 2022 Sam was featured in the inaugural Top 50 North West tech Transformers list complied by BusinessCloud
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.