BARCLAYS Corporate has strengthened its local authority offering in the North East with the introduction of a relationship director responsible for providing specialist support for the sector.

Julian Batson, who already has responsibility for Barclays Corporate’s relationships with the retail and wholesale sector, will join a nationwide team of 34 specialists providing increased, local-level support to authorities.

Barclays say the move is a direct response to the publication of the Government’s Decentralisation and Localism Bill. Unveiled in December, it laid out a far-reaching set of proposals designed to give councils more financial independence.

Chris Hearn, head of local authorities and education at Barclays Corporate, said: “With budget cuts bearing down on authorities across the country and power being handed back to local authorities we believe it is essential that Barclays Corporate is able to offer authorities support from a local relationship director.

“Someone who will not only understand the bigger picture, but also the individual challenges and issues facing the local communities that authorities in the North East serve.”

Batson said: “Working with local authorities in the North East and understanding the regional aspect of the issues they face will give me a real advantage and help them achieve their localism goals. All regions have different economies, strengths and niches and working regionally is far more practical.”