Fortis Bank has appointed Stella Staley as relationship manager to the bank's Bristol office.

Ms Staley will be responsible for managing the bank's business in South Wales and the South West.

Fortis Bank, the pan-European bancassurer, has developed an excellent reputation in the UK in recent years in supplying a broad range of pan-European and UK domestic banking services to mid-market companies through its expanding branch network.

The Bristol office's well-established relationship teams are complemented by specialists in the fields of corporate treasury, international trade finance, leasing, receivables finance, property finance, global cash management and acquisition finance.

South Wales-born Ms Staley (pictured) has spent the last nine years managing and monitoring venture capitalist 3i's portfolio over the same geographical patch. She brings expertise in managing a large and diversified portfolio to her role at Fortis. "I am delighted to join Fortis Bank and look forward to the challenge of applying my experience and utilising the bank's comprehensive UK domestic banking and international trade finance offering to help companies find innovative banking solutions," she said.

Phil Young, director of Fortis Bank in Bristol, said: "Stella's experience, coupled with her extensive knowledge and understanding of business "in South Wales and the South West, will be a great asset. We are delighted to welcome her to the team."