Relationship Development Director, coffee addict, Thai boxer – and friend to the oceans.
Say hello to Andrew Welton, our new Relationship Development Director. He will be supporting our brilliant clients, making sure they’ve got the right funding in place to get where they want to go.
But before he was helping SMEs across the North East to navigate the funding landscape, he had his sights set on something a little… wetter.
“Believe it or not, I could have ended up as a marine biologist,” Andrew says. “I’ve been fascinated by marine wildlife since I was a kid.”
Instead, he dove into business – earning a Masters in Entrepreneurship and Business Development before kicking off his career as a Business Development Manager at a North East marketing agency. From there, he made a splash in the financial services world, joining Gallagher Insurance – one of the world’s top insurance brokers – as the lead business development contact for the North East.
That experience laid the groundwork for his new role at CCBS Group.
“Joining CCBS as Relationship Development Director is a fantastic next step. My focus is on really understanding our clients and what they need – so we can connect them with the right funding, at the right time, with the right partner.”
What’s a typical day like for you at CCBS?
“There’s no such thing! But broadly, it’s all about listening – meeting with clients, understanding what’s happening in their business, and identifying funding options that are tailored to their goals. That’s what drew me to CCBS – it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. It’s proper, people-first problem solving.”
Now for the important stuff…
How do you take your tea?
I don’t! I’m a full-blown coffee fiend. But maybe I’ll have to branch out now I’m here.
What do you do in your spare time?
I’m really into fitness. I’ve competed in Thai boxing bouts and still train regularly – so when I’m not in a meeting or on the phone, I’m probably at the gym or dragging myself on a run along the coast.
Have you ever played a sport naked?
Officially… no.