Santander’s Head of UK Banking praised the bank’s continued partnership with the University of Essex at a lecture exploring the role of banks in the UK economy and how they support small businesses.
Speaking in the Lakeside Theatre at the Colchester Campus, Steve Pateman also met some of the 100 Essex students that have received scholarships through the Santander Universities partnership.
The lecture gave a unique insight into the workings of the banking sector and its relationship with the UK economy in relation to the global economic downturn.
Opening the event, Vice-Chancellor Professor Anthony Forster said: “Santander Universities really is a unique initiative, a long-term strategic alliance with universities that is beneficial to staff and to student.”
During his visit, Mr Pateman also visited Santander’s campus branch, met with the Vice-Chancellor and Head of Philanthropy Lynsey Dawson to discuss opportunities for the future, and unveiled one of the University’s 50th anniversary plaques which commemorates the Essex-Santander relationship.
Speaking after the event, student Maria Patricia Miranda, who has received a Santander Scholarship, said: “The moment when you figure out the career path you are supposed to take in life, a sense of satisfaction and completeness overwhelms you. You feel prepared to conquer life because you trust the choice you have made for your future. It is that feeling of confidence that I owe to the Santander Scholarship, an organisation that believed in me.”
Santander UK PLC is one of the leading personal financial services companies and one of the largest providers of mortgages and savings in the UK. The bank has around 20,000 employees, 14 million active customers, over 1,000 branches and corporate business centres.
Central to Santander’s approach is its focus on the wider impact of its work, supporting universities, entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Since 2008, the University has partnered with Santander Universities, helping it deliver over 100 scholarships and awards and more than 50 internships with 90% of the students in full-time jobs as a result.
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For further information please contact the University of Essex Communications Office, telephone: 01206 873529 or email: comms@essex.ac.uk.