NatWest names new head of corporate banking for the East Midlands

NatWest Group has appointed a new head of corporate banking for the East Midlands in a move designed to boost its support for the region's mid-sized and larger corporate businesses.

Ken Feast takes on the role from his previous position as head of business development for invoice finance in the Midlands and East, and brings more than 20 years' experience spanning retail, business banking, transaction services, and structured working capital in the commercial and corporate space including invoice finance and ABL.

Feast will head a commercial and corporate banking team across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, focusing on key regional sectors including manufacturing, logistics and high‑growth businesses. His appointment follows the retirement of Tom Corr, whom he succeeds in the role.

"The East Midlands has a strong business base, from advanced manufacturing and logistics through to fast‑growing mid‑market companies," said Feast. "Our role is to help businesses access the right funding, expertise and strategic support to grow confidently in a changing economic environment.

"Having started my career in Nottingham at the Smiths Bank Branch, I am extremely proud to be based back in my home city."

His appointment comes as NatWest sharpens its focus on the UK mid‑market – a segment the bank said could add £35bn to the UK economy with just 1 per cent additional growth.

In the East Midlands, Feast will work closely with Anne‑Marie Hunt, regional director, commercial mid‑market, who was recently named NatWest's mid‑market champion for the region as part of the bank's UK‑wide 'Growing Together' plan. 

She said: "Ken is a fantastic addition to the East Midlands leadership team. He's highly respected by customers and colleagues alike for his straight‑talking approach and his ability to deliver for businesses. 

"His promotion to head of corporate banking is well deserved and I'm excited to have him in the team as we support more organisations to invest and grow across the region.”