Darrell Walker Email & Phone Number

Coventry, England, GB

Winner of Business Leader: Commercial Finance Lender - The British Specialist Lending Awards 2021

After a highly successful period building and developing the Prestige Finance sales and distribution proposition for OSB I was asked to also pick up the additional responsibility of leading and developing the InterBay Commercial brand. My remit and responsibility continued to expand when I was asked to lead the the group's Product & Proposition team.

Recruited to lead the development and integration of Prestige Finance in to the OSB Group and enhance it’s proposition in the second charge arena and wider market.- Designed, priced and delivered a brand new range of fixed rate products to compliment the existing product range. Fixed rates now account for 35% of written business.- Identified an opportunity.

Recruited to lead and develop the company's intermediary proposition and enhance it's reputation in the UK intermediary market.- Designed and implemented a new sales process majoring on relationship management and development. This lead to an increase in written business and income to the value of 170% in a 6 month period.- Business press spokesperson with.

• Recruited to lead the development and implementation of new partnership opportunities in the UK Bank and Building Society sector whilst enhancing L&G’s profile in this arena:
• Successfully developed, secured and launched several new partnerships with UK banks and building societies within first 18 months with L&G. This included contract and commercial negotiations.
• L&G's Bank & Building Society Division now reaches 86% of all building society customers (25.5m customers) and L&G is represented in 80% of building society branches in the UK. 40% of L&G’s savings distribution is via.
• Developed a robust process for identifying and evaluating growth opportunities for the wider Group with potential distributors, partners or acquisition targets.
• Qualified 2 years running (performance in 2011 & 2012) for the prestigious BBSD Employee Achievement Awards Event in recognition of personal performance and success.

• Recruited specifically to manage and develop an under-performing sales team and ensure delivery of all mortgage and insurance sales targets within a defined risk framework.
• Sales management, design and delivery of workshops, and individual coaching and development, leading to an increase in team performance from 72% to 113% YTD in first 6 months (110th to 7th nationally).
• Effective management of underperformers leading to improved individual and team performance.
• Enhanced relationship with Commercial and Private Banking and other internal business partners, resulting in an increase in referred and written business.
• Assisted the Mortgage Training team with new adviser assessments and training and development, providing direction, coaching and leadership.

• Recruited to lead a team of BDM’s and increase new business sales activity and market share with the banks largest and most significant accounts on a national basis.
• Identified an opportunity and developed the UK sales strategy for “Key Account” management. This resulted in an over-performance in market share to the value of 140%.
• Designed and delivered the banks “Account Management” workshop. The result was an increase in productivity, delivered in a professional and focused manner.
• Initiated and facilitated sales forums to increase levels of business in key product areas. This enhanced our reputation and delivered incremental business.
• Designed remuneration incentives based on performance and competencies. These were used as a motivational tool to reward both team and individual performance.
• Managed and developed a team of 11 Business Development Managers. This resulted in a regional performance of 142% against target.

• Recruited on the back of reputation for strong customer service, excellent sales record, and relationship management skills with both internal and external stakeholders:
• Developed local networking groups and clubs.
• Entrepreneurial activities within local community, enhancing both personal and the bank’s reputation in the area.
• Achieved the branch mortgage target within 3 months.
• CAS status.

• Recruited as part of a management team to design, build and deliver the bank’s new intermediary channel across the UK.
• Developed the bank’s “Broker Strategy” majoring on relationship and account management.
• Achieved over 200% of target in the first 6 months.

• Recruited to drive the branch towards hitting and exceeding business targets following success in the society’s call centre. People management and staff development:
• Effectively ran the day-to-day aspects of sales and office management, including performance reviews and motivating and developing a team of 12 to achieve business targets.
• Exceeded demanding annual branch targets.

• Recruited as part of an initial project team responsible for the set-up and development of the society’s customer call centre:
• Successfully modernised processes by analysing the centre’s requirements and objectives. Managed change to establish best practice and reduce costs.
• Developed and motivated a team of 9 to exceed business targets (Mortgage & Investment).
• Consistently the No 1 performing adviser for new business, leading by example.

Enjoyed accelerated promotion under the banks Management Development Programme. Responsibilities included retail bank customer service and sales, account management, student services, small business lending, foreign exchange and stock market deposits.

Education record

Banking & Financial Services

Banking & Financial Services