THE BOSS of Bradford’s newest bank has joined the city’s Business Development District (BID) as a director.

Fraser Anderson will manage the new Metro Bank store which is to be opened at The Exchange, in Market Street, later this year.

As part of the 24-strong operating board of the BID – which was joined last year by Ryan Sparks, chief executive of Bradford City AFC, and the Reverend Canon Paul Maybury, Precentor of Bradford Cathedral – he will help to oversee the remaining three years of its business plan which has an overall budget of more than £2 million for city centre improvements over its full five-year term.

Ian Ward, chair of the BID board, said: “I am really pleased to welcome Fraser to the team, which now has members representing just about every sector of the city centre’s life and economy, from independents to major national chains, from education to big business, from entertainment to tourism, from arts and culture to hospitality and leisure, from property to technology.

“His appointment will further strengthen the board at a crucial time as we work to support the vital recovery of our local economy and help businesses in their ongoing battle to overcome the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and get back on their feet after the second big lockdown.”

The role of Director on the BID Operating Board is purely voluntary and unpaid and members contribute to it entirely over and above their day-to-day roles.

Mr Anderson said: “I was passionate about joining Bradford BID as it enables me to contribute to local activities as well as working with the business community of Bradford to support the four key BID objectives, to make the city centre Safe, Clean, Alive and Promoted,” he said.

“I have enjoyed an extensive banking career, covering personal finances, mortgages, wealth management and the SME community, all within the great county of Yorkshire.

“Having worked in and around Bradford for the past number of years I have seen the changes happen to improve areas and I am grateful that I have the opportunity to contribute to its future development.

“I truly believe Bradford is a wonderful and thriving city.” 

He said Metro Bank was fully committed to opening its new store in Bradford later this year.

“We can’t wait to bring excellent customer service to the residents and businesses of the city. Bradford will be Metro Bank’s 78th store to open, following its recent expansion into the North of England, with stores opening in Sheffield, Manchester and Liverpool.”

Metro Bank says its openings in Bradford and Sheffield will create around 50 jobs. It will offer business, personal and private banking services to the local community, from early in the morning until late at night, seven-days-a-week.

This expansion into Yorkshire is part of Metro Bank’s efforts to “inject much needed competition into the small business banking market".

It says it is the fastest-growing challenger bank for business current accounts in the UK, supporting tens of thousands of SMEs.