Cambridge & Counties expands West and Wales real estate team

Sophie Wilkins and James Roche join as senior relationship managers.

Originally from Plymouth and now based in Bristol, Sophie joins the bank following a five-year stint working for Bankwest in Australia, most latterly as a senior relationship manager. During her time at Bankwest, she managed a portfolio of around 50 clients with debt facilities of between £1m and £15m, with a focus on business, property, and development finance.

Based in Exeter, James has extensive experience in the real estate sector. He has been in commercial banking for 16 years, including two and a half years at Yorkshire Building Society as a relationship director.

Cambridge & Counties Bank saw enhanced demand for its real estate product suite in 2021 across the Midlands and the wider UK market, with demand continuing to grow in 2022. In the West and Wales region, the bank has seen increased activity in the commercial and mixed-use space.

The addition of Sophie and James means the bank now has five members of staff covering the West and Wales region.

Paul Howard, regional director of West and Wales at Cambridge & Counties Bank, said: “We’re delighted to be adding Sophie and James to our successful South West and Wales team. Both have extensive experience and a deep understanding of the needs of our clients and the brokers that support them and are joining us at a time of growth and expansion. The West and Wales area is a key market for the bank, and we will continue to invest in the local team.”