Christmas Spotlight: Steve Harris

If ever there was a year when we need some festive cheer, it’s 2020. So, for our annual advent calendar of Q&As with the region’s businesspeople, we’ve tried to focus on what brings you joy.

Every day in December, we’ll invite someone into the Christmas spotlight, with 10 quickfire questions…

Next up, Steve Harris, regional director and head of SME Yorkshire and North East shares his thoughts on 2020 and what he’s most looking forward to this Christmas.

Complete the sentence: “If there’s one thing 2020 has taught me, it’s…”

How important it is to be kind and look out for the people around you and being resilient matters. The pandemic has touched all our lives and meant we’ve all faced new challenges. Yorkshire’s business community has been particularly brilliant at adapting in very difficult circumstances. Many have pivoted their operations – either getting online for the first time, offering new services or changing the core of what they offer to customers. It’s been fantastic to watch firms work in such innovative and exciting ways.

If you could give a one-line shout out to your team, for how they’ve handled this year, what would you say?

This year has been challenging for the region’s firms and the team at Lloyds Bank has done a great job of getting them the support they need, whether that’s financial support via the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) and through Bounce Bank Loans (BBL) or more advice-led guidance around building digital skills.

I’d give the team a shout out for their passion and the herculean efforts they’ve put in to help Yorkshire’s businesses. not to mention their resilience and adaptability.

Were you guilty of any lockdown splurges?

I wouldn’t call it a splurge but I did treat myself to a Sonos speaker system so my family and I can enjoy music when We switch off from the day. Really helps me to reload and reenergise. Oh and a new warm coat for winter walks which have become part of the weekends.

In less than 50 words, summarise three things your business has to look forward to, in 2021.

Across Lloyds Bank we’re looking forward to helping Britain’s recovery. Whether that’s standing by clients as they get back on their feet and return to a sense of normality or helping them to build back better with sustainable investments or expansion into new markets.

Which fellow Yorkshire business do you think has gone above and beyond, this year?

Many Yorkshire firms have done great things this year. A couple that spring to mind are William & Victoria, a Harrogate restaurant that started offering takeaways in lockdown, Warners Fish Merchants who pulled extra long hours to get their customers supplied when venues reopened and York House Leisure who continued their plans to develop a new residential park home for the over 50s despite the challenges of lockdown. The persistence and resilience of so many firms has been incredible, but not unsurprising, to see.

I’d also add Jet2.com they have been stand out in delivering quality customer care in the most difficult of conditions for the holiday industry.

What’s your oldest Christmas memory?

Its got be waking up early, getting my brother and being so excited to see if Father Christmas had been.

What’s the one thing you could never be without, on your Christmas dinner plate?

A sprout? .... only joking, I could do without those! Would have to be roast potatoes, cooked in goose fat of course, and some homemade cranberry sauce.

What’s your favourite Christmas tipple, film and tune?

Tipple would be a chocolate baileys with my wife when nobody else is around. As for a film, Arthur Christmas with the kids and the tune would be fairy-tale of New York, or the original Do They Know it’s Christmas!

What are you most looking forward to, about Christmas 2020?

I think like most people I’m looking forward to catching up with friends and family – albeit over video call in some cases – and putting my feet up with a large glass of red.

And a message to your friends, family, colleagues and peers as they welcome in 2021?

Have a very Jolly Christmas, and a Happy New Year. Here’s to a more positive 2021.... and wiping the tiers away!