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Professional services is one of the Enterprise Zone’s key sectors, and financial services make up a sizeable chunk of that, with businesses such as RBS, the Bank of Ireland and NatWest based here. Coutts, which dates back over 300 years, is a private bank and wealth management firm with offices near Temple Quay. We learn more about what they do in Bristol, and about their successful apprenticeships scheme.

Number of employees: 300 Coutts Private Banking Operations staff are based at Trinity Quay on Avon Street. The Royal Bank of Scotland acquired Coutts as part of the NatWest Group in 2000, establishing it as the private banking arm of RBS; today, over 1,400 RBS staff are based in the Enterprise Zone.

Length of time in the Enterprise Zone: Since it began – NatWest and subsequently RBS, including Coutts, have been at their offices since October 1989.

Why is the Enterprise Zone a good base for your business? The offices were originally built for NatWest Life, and have since been occupied and developed further to accommodate departments of NatWest and The Royal Bank of Scotland. The building was one of the first to be built as redevelopment started in this area of Bristol, and its location is perfect for our staff: it’s close to Temple Meads and provides easy access to transport.

How would you describe Coutts to someone who’s never heard of it? Exceptional service perfected and world-renowned expertise, developed over three centuries. In Bristol, Coutts’ Private Banking Operations deliver the support and functions that provide a bespoke service to high net worth clients. Through lasting partnerships, we aim to understand every aspect of our clients’ wealth, ensuring exceptional service – above and beyond banking.

What early career opportunities are currently on offer? At Coutts Private Banking Operations in Bristol, we offer outstanding apprenticeship opportunities within Business Administration and Relationship Management. Apprentices can study for an NVQ level 3 whilst working with us, which gives them the opportunity to make a real mark on our business. What’s more, we pay all our apprentices the same as our Customer Banking Officers.

Tell us more about how Coutts works with apprentices. Here in Private Banking Operations Bristol, we currently have 5 apprentices who have been employed with us since October 2015. Our apprentices work in different teams across our departments – including Operations Support and Banking and Digital Support. Ongoing on-the-job support is provided to them and we allow up to 3 hours of in-work study per week for working towards their NVQ in Business Administration. We are currently recruiting for a further 5 apprentices, who will join us in October of this year. 

What are your plans for the future of the business? Our Bristol office is growing, and we’re aiming for it to become the hub for all of Coutts’ private banking operations. We will be moving more of our support services here over the next 2 years.

Describe the business in 3 words: Exceptional Service Perfected.

Next week, we’ll be finding out more about Coutts’ early career opportunities by speaking to one of their current apprentices.

In the meantime, to find out more about careers with Coutts, email ambitions@rbs.co.uk or visit www.jobs.rbs.com and http://yourpassionyourpotential.rbs.com/. To find out more about Coutts generally, visit their website or follow them on Twitter.