Barclays Bank Ireland Bolsters Trade Finance Expertise

Barclays Bank Ireland has hired Benette van Dyk as a Director of Structured Trade & Sales Finance to provide increased support to Irish companies looking to trade internationally.

Benette’s appointment will reinforce the bank’s local trade finance expertise but will also provide particular support to companies looking to trade with Africa, an increasingly important market offering a wealth of opportunities for Irish businesses.

Benette, formerly headed Trade Finance teams with The Standard Bank of South Africa and The FirstRand Group South Africa, will be responsible for providing support to Barclays Bank Ireland’s clients looking to explore these opportunities, leveraging her knowledge of the African trading environment.

Commenting on the appointment, Andrew Hastings, CEO Barclays Bank Ireland said: “Africa offers a unique mix of opportunities and challenges and, as its economy strengthens, the continent will increasingly need goods and services which it cannot cater for domestically.

“Ireland is well placed to help fulfill those needs and Benette will be able to provide clients with first-hand experience and support to companies looking to play a wider role in Africa’s future”.

Barclays has more than 50,000 employees on the ground in Africa, meaning it is well placed to support clients looking to trade with continent.

Benette holds a B.Comm (Law), LLB and a masters degree in International Trade from the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa.

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About Barclays
Barclays is a major global financial services provider engaged in retail banking, credit cards, corporate and investment banking and wealth management with an extensive international presence in Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia. With over 300 years of history and expertise in banking, Barclays operates in over 50 countries and employs over 140,000 people. Barclays moves, lends, invests and protects money for customers and clients worldwide. For further information about Barclays, please visit our website www.barclays.com.