Clydesdale deal helps potato firm grow

Clydesdale Bank is the flavour of the month with suppliers to one of the UKs biggest crisp brands after wrapping up a deal with the Hampshire-based company.

The Janaway Connection, a group of three companies Whitewater Potatoes Ltd, Whitewater Potatoes Partnership and G H Janaway & Sons is based at Lodge Farm at North Warnborough, near Hook, and farms up to 5,000 acres of land across southern England and Scotland and counts Walkers Crisps among its customers.

Owner Richard Janaway explained that the company directors were thinking of changing banks and turned to Matt Phillips, Agribusiness Partner at Clydesdale Banks Portsmouth Financial Solutions Centre.

We had been with our previous bank for about 20 years and had had a good relationship with them. However, the bank itself was having some problems and we had decided we perhaps needed a change, said Richard.

We were impressed with Matts background and his outline of Clydesdale Banks expertise in the agricultural sector.

Matt and colleagues went to meet Richard at Lodge Farm and Matts agricultural background helped seal the deal to transfer all of the Janaway familys banking to Clydesdale Bank.

Im from a farming background so I know the problems the sector faces, said Matt. In fact, when I was younger I used to pick potatoes, so there was some common ground there.

It was that common ground that persuaded Richard and his family to transfer their banking to Clydesdale Bank.

We were impressed with the knowledge of the sector, said Richard. We felt they really understood our area of business and they were trying to match their banking to our requirements, which is not something every bank would do.

It has given us great confidence that Clydesdale will look after our best interests as well as those of their shareholders.

To find out how Clydesdale Bank can help your business, contact the team at the Portsmouth Financial Solutions Centre, First Floor, Gunwharf House, Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth, PO1 3TZ on 02392 856600

Clydesdale Bank:
Clydesdale Bank is part of the National Australia Bank Group. Clydesdale Bank was established in 1838 in Glasgow and, as one of Scotlands largest banks, has a proud history of innovation and support for Scottish industry and communities as well as a significant presence in London and the South of England. With its sister bank, Yorkshire Bank, Clydesdale has 340 retail branches across Scotland, the North of England and the Midlands, and 72 Financial Solutions Centres throughout the UK, which offer customers a highly integrated business and private banking service.
Financial Solutions Centres:

Financial Solutions Centres (FSC) focus on the communities in which they operate. Each of the UK-wide network of 72 FSCs offers a tailored range of business and private banking services under one roof.  A team of specialist partners provide customers with end-to-end solutions for all of their banking needs. Each customer benefits from the in-depth expertise of a dedicated relationship partner who takes the time to get to know them and their business and is able to make fast, local decisions. In addition to banking services, the FSCs also operate as a hub for local business, with a range of networking opportunities and meeting facilities available as a benefit of membership.