Relationship Manager Review

Managing a portfolio of affluent customers. Supporting them to manage their day-to-day banking as well as referring them to colleagues in other business areas to help them to prosper through business, investments and mortgage products. I use a combination of face to face and calling to ensure I support customers needs on a daily basis.

The apprenticeship has made me consider my daily job more, looking into processes and things such as CSR in more depth. I have had to deal more with speaking to groups which has been a weakness of mine so it has given me an extra push to Speak up and deliver information and meetings.

Initially I was really keen as I would like to develop and make myself known within my company. I felt after a few months of missions that the programme was a little repetitive and I felt less enthused. I really enjoyed studying for the CBI exam as I felt like there was reasoning for it and I had an end point.

I feel it is evident that the programme is fairly new or at least the content is. At times I don't think it has been clear what needed to be included in every mission upload. I also think the missions have measures that need to be hit which are irrelevant to the work we are doing and I've never been sure how to include these. Any questions I have had I have been able to go to my coach and he has found the answer which was great but I don't think its clear to the apprentices'.

To be honest, I feel that the apprentice is looked at that it is my decision to take it on therefore my decision to find the time and not let it impact my figures. I have not been given any exceptions to targets or time management. However; when I have taken time to complete the apprenticeship that has not caused any problems and management have not asked me not to do it.

Our skills coach is on hand to answer any questions. There are skills workshops however it doesn't discuss anything to do with the apprenticeship. I think its great for personal development however I think more focus could be put onto learning. We are given missions we need to compete however we are left to that and there's no knowledge development unless we seek it ourselves.

I don't honestly feel that it does for me personally. A lot of this I find is on self development however I feel like the course is aimed at people who are inexperienced at self development, are new to the banking role completely. I would like to see more factual banking/financial learning in the course which would give me opportunity to boost my knowledge in the financial sector.

We complete breakthrough events for the business side of the business. I also am able to take part in the Wealth events for affluent customers. We always run community events in branch and outside. Santander offers events such as sporting events such as the one at the moment which is part of the champions league sponsorship.

No

I have had good and bad experiences. For the good side of things I Was able to be promoted fairly quickly within the branch. I feel like I Was given the tools I needed to get to a certain point in my career. I don't however feel like Santander has supported me since, especially with the new structure. I also feel like the progression schemes are aimed much more at head offices than branches and would like more opportunity to get into talent schemes and work placements to advance my career.

Ask for opportunities don't just let them happen. Go above and beyond and taken on all opportunities because you want to get noticed. Try to be flexible because if you stay in one position you wont achieve or be noticed. Knowing people in this company is power and you may need to call on them for advice. Join the union.