SMALL businesses across Dudley will find themselves with extra support after Lloyds Bank appointed a new senior manager.

Richard Jenkins, who will be based in Stourbridge, joins from RBS and brings with him more than 30 years’ experience of working with SMEs across the West Midlands.

He will now lead a team of eight relationship managers to ensure businesses across the Black Country receive the specific funding and tailored guidance needed to support growth opportunities both domestically and overseas.

Mr Jenkins said: “The Black Country has a thriving business community and I’m looking forward to working with local SMEs to help them achieve their growth ambitions.”

He will personally support a sizeable portfolio of businesses based in Stourbridge and Dudley, as well as Walsall and Sandwell.

Mark Cadwallader, the company’s area director for SME banking, said: “Richard brings great expertise to our team and will further strengthen our ability to provide local firms with the first class support they need to fulfil growth potential.

“As a part of our 'Helping Britain Prosper Plan' we have committed to grow our SME net lending by £1billion every year until the end of 2017 and will continue to work with the wide breath of sectors from nurseries, property developers, dentists and manufacturers.”