Santander International’s response to the evolution of High Street banking

Open to APM and non-APM members in Jersey the event is focused on the project behind the first Work Café in the Channel Islands.

At first glance Work Cafés may look like simple coffee shops, but they are much more.  They are Santander’s way of responding to the changing banking environment and provide a completely different experience of going to a bank branch that utilises innovation and technology to enhance the customer experience.

This revolutionary branch banking concept originated in Chile and was so successful that the concept has now spread to each of Santander’s core jurisdictions such as Spain, UK, USA, Brazil and most recently Jersey!

Richard Le Breton from Santander International who was the Work Café Project Sponsor will talk about the overarching vision, how the project originated, its objectives, the risks and issues that were identified and describe some of the highs, lows and challenges of managing the project during the pandemic!

Richard led the team bringing the first Santander Work Café to the Channel Islands, co-ordinating the in-house architect team, a UK project team, and local partners, contractors, and sub-contractors. He said: “The whole project involved a lot of really motivated partners who did everything they could to make the project a success and deliver an iconic building for Jersey. Everybody was focused on working together safely to make sure the project continued, and despite the Covid-19 lockdown, the site was ready within weeks of our original deadline.”

“We wanted the Charing Cross site because it is an iconic location that everyone in the Island knows. We chose the location first then had to work around the building. Jersey’s Santander Work Café is different from other Work Cafés around the world because with several stories, the space is vertical rather than linear. ”

This is an event aiming to highlight a different type of project which was driven by a shift in customer behaviour and the desire to improve the customer experience and will bring fresh insights to the local project management profession.  One hour of CPD will be provided to event attendees.

Carl Ibbet, the local APM Committee Chair said, “We are glad that both members and non-members of the APM can hear from the team behind the Work Café project on how they delivered a successful project, the challenges faced in the time of Covid-19, and the importance of the needs of the customer”

“The APM Channel Isles provides an opportunity for those already working in – or wishing to explore – the project profession a forum to swap stories and experiences in an environment with like-minded project professionals.  We are hoping to show those who may consider a career in projects what it’s all about and how to get into this most varied and exciting of professions.”

The APM is the chartered body for the project profession. With over 30,000 individual members and more than 500 organisations, the APM is the largest professional body for project management in Europe.

The Santander International’s response to the evolution of High Street banking event will be held in person at the Santander’s Work Café in Jersey on Tuesday 23 November from 5.30pm – 7pm and is open to APM and non-APM members.

We encourage all attendees to follow government advice and take a lateral flow test before attending events to slow the spread of Covid-19.