Sixty Seconds with Julie Skelly, Head of Belfast Business Centre, Danske Bank

Danske Bank is a strong, customer focused and locally-led bank supporting our core market of Northern Ireland. In the last year we’ve supported over 10,000 business customers with by approving over £450 million worth of coronavirus- related business support loans in 2020, with over £395 million of this volume provided through the Government- backed schemes.

Friday 28 May 2021

Sixty Seconds with Julie Skelly, Head of Belfast Business Centre, Danske Bank

Tell us about Danske Bank and your role within!

Danske Bank is a strong, customer focused and locally-led bank supporting our core market of Northern Ireland. In the last year we’ve supported over 10,000 business customers with by approving over £450 million worth of coronavirus- related business support loans in 2020, with over £395 million of this volume provided through the Government- backed schemes.

I’m privileged to lead a dedicated team of professional, experienced Business Managers who support local businesses in all sectors, help them achieve their growth ambitions, develop relationships with new customers and help create value by implementing solutions to meet customers’ needs.

We continue to play an integral role in supporting the local economy and we are committed to helping Northern Ireland grow again.

What has been your career journey so far?

I actually see myself as having had two careers. The first 21 years were in General Insurance. During this time I also completed a degree in Business Studies and attained Associateship of the Chartered Insurance Institute.

In 2010, I started out in my ‘second’ career in banking, as a Business Manager managing a portfolio of medium to large customers with lending requirements up to £5m, across a range of industry sectors and business lifecycles. At the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, I was delighted to be appointed as Head of Belfast Business Centre.

Describe yourself in 3 words.

Enabler, optimist, humble.

What is the one skill that helps you the most in your role?

Curiosity – I always ask lots of questions!

Do you have any advice for your fellow women in Finance?

At a recent International Women’s Day organised by the Danske Gender Diversity Network event, I shared some of my personal ‘life learnings’:

Never back yourself into a corner
Respect other people’s time
Ignorance is not bliss
Don’t do regrets - learn from experiences and build your next adventure
Climb your mountains in baby steps
Learn to ‘normalise discomfort’

Are there any exciting plans on the way for Danske Bank?

We’re always looking for ways to improve the products and services we offer our customers and continue to strive to be a force for good in Northern Ireland.We’re committed to ‘belonging’ and actively caring for our colleagues, customers and society. Just recently we launched a new race equality network, Origins, and a domestic abuse policy. We’re working closely with the charity AWARE to raise awareness of the mental health support available and support teenage mental health. And there are lots of new exciting new initiatives to help tackle climate change, both in our own operations and beyond.