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15 April 2015

FirstPro: The Finance Professional Nominees

Mike Divers, Brooks Macdonald

New to Coventry and Warwickshire Mike Divers is establishing the discretionary investment manager, Brooks Macdonald Asset Management in the region. He has worked tirelessly to embed the company into the local area and is already seeing strong results. The office has surpassed its targets and picked up a number of new clients and intermediary relationships.

Leon Sloyan, Santander

Raised in Coventry and a graduate of Coventry University Leon has always lived and worked in the city.  He is a Relationship Director in the Coventry & Warwickshire office of Santander Corporate & Commercial Banking, managing and growing a portfolio of clients.  He has won new business with innovative deal structures and secured multi million pound funding packages, supporting local SME’s to the tune of £16M in the past 12 months.  He also actively supports his local football team, for which he encourages and supports the next generation of players.

Jason Strain, Harrison Beale & Owen Financial Services

Jason took up the reins as managing director of Harrison Beale & Owen Financial Services early in 2012.  Since his appointment turnover is up by 36% and the number of employees by almost 50%.  He has supported the development of his team, helping two achieve Chartered Financial Planner status.  Jason and two colleagues also raised over £6,000 for three charities including SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society) by cycling from London to Paris, and as part of the HBO team £10,000 for the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance and Zoe’s Place.

Maria Thomas, Barclays Bank plc

Maria operates a busy portfolio of business customers and has consistently evidenced outstanding behaviours within and outside the team.  She is happy to represent her team at internal and external events and is always prepared to take on additional responsibilities.  Maria is a member of the Coventry Business Improvement District Board and in this role has actively supported a number of community projects and activities.  In the words of her nominator she is “an irreplaceable member of the team”.