WMG was delighted to welcome Alison Rose, Deputy CEO of NatWest Holdings, to a special SME event at the Professor Lord Bhattacharyya Building at the University of Warwick.

Alison, and her colleague Richard Hill, Head of Automotive and Manufacturing at NatWest, joined CEO of WMG Centre High Value Manufacturing Catapult, Archie MacPherson to meet with a series of SMEs that NatWest and WMG are currently supporting on the ‘Create Test Launch’ (CTL) Programme.

The CTL Programme was launched in 2017, with WMG experts providing hands on advice and support with new product development.

The potential of the Programme was recognised by NatWest, who then partnered with WMG to subsidise ten clients through CTL.

At the event Alison, described as ‘the most influential woman in investment banking’, spoke with passion about the need to prioritise innovation in the boardroom and sparked a lively discussion. Key topics included the challenges of balancing operational pressures against the desire to innovate, the crucial role of good leadership, understanding the innovation process, and support for SMEs in an uncertain political and economic climate.

With 50,000 manufacturing clients nationally, NatWest is keen to promote innovation and leadership in industry. Following the visit, WMG will continue to work closely with NatWest to strengthen the UK manufacturing sector.