The Cumberland Building Society has made two new key hires to its commercial team, bringing the team's total size to 28.

Andy Gibson and Georgie McRoberts have joined the team as Commercial Relationship Managers, adding their wealth of experience to support the society's customer base and expand its reach.

Andy Gibson, with over 30 years of experience in banking and achieving Chartered Banker status, will be responsible for looking after the Cumberland's customer base in the south-west of England and hospitality businesses in the north-west of England.

Mr Gibson said: “I’m really pleased to be joining the Cumberland in such an exciting period of growth. I was initially attracted to the role after seeing the passion displayed by the senior team and I’m pleased to see that passion is shared amongst everybody within the business.

“The Cumberland and its relationship-managed approach is really filling a void that other banks are leaving. I’m looking forward to helping our existing customers to achieve their ambitions, bringing on more customers, and proving that we truly are a building society making a difference.”

Georgie McRoberts, who also brings over 25 years of experience in financial services, will be responsible for managing a portfolio of existing connections and working with brokers and intermediaries to secure new business deals across Cumbria, south-west Scotland, and north-east England.

Georgie said: “I’m pleased to have started my role here at the Cumberland which puts people at the heart of what it does. There will undoubtedly be challenges ahead as we face further economic uncertainty but I’m looking forward to supporting our customers in any way that we can.”

In the past 12 months alone, the Cumberland, based in Carlisle, has hired 148 colleagues, increasing its workforce to 685 across the wider business.

Scott McKerracher, Head of Commercial Lending at the Cumberland said: “Georgie and Andy have both got a wealth of experience which I’m sure will positively impact our commercial team here at the Cumberland.

“As our customers continue to come under financial strain due to the ongoing financial crisis, we are pleased to be expanding our team in order to best support them and other potential new customers.”