RBS Group and BCC announce long-term partnership

The Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS Group) and the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) announced a long-term partnership to support the small business sector. Together they will deliver a range of financial services and business development activities at a national and local level that will be announced later this year.

The BCC confirmed that RBS Group, which includes NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland and Ulster Bank, will be the new headline sponsor of its National Chamber Awards for the next three years. RBS Group will sponsor the achievement in international business category and has doubled the prize money available to the national ‘Winner of Winners’, the award for Outstanding Business Achievement, to £50,000. The National Chamber Awards 2007 will be announced at a gala event in London on November 29th.

Steve Pateman, Chief Executive for Royal Bank of Scotland Group UK Business Banking added: “I am really proud to launch this long term partnership with the BCC, starting with the National Chamber Awards in November. The partnership will not stop there of course, as we use our extensive network of branch-based business managers and the BCC local chambers to deliver a range of banking services and business development activities to support the local small business sector. ”

David Frost, Director General of the BCC commented: “We are delighted that RBS Group has become our national and international banking partner. RBS Group has one of the largest banking teams, encompassing all areas of business banking. Like us, their roots are set firmly in the local community helping business there to grow and prosper. They share our commitment to this sector both nationally and locally. We are looking forward to what promises to be a very fruitful relationship for British businesses over the coming years.”

He continued: “I am also delighted that this year our overall winner in the National Chamber Awards will benefit from RBS Group’s generosity with what must be one of the biggest cash prizes available in the UK. Doubling our existing prize to £50,000 will make a profound difference to the business that will walk away with the coveted award for Outstanding Business Achievement.”