The OakNorth blog

Read the latest industry news, find practical advice on how to grow your business and smart tips to save for the future, all here on the OakNorth blog.

Business development

Hunger, conviction, depth, and character are attributes every entrepreneur needs to succeed

Friday March 3rd, 2023
a chalkboard drawing of a businessman climbing stairs

At numerous points in my entrepreneurial journey, whether when speaking to other business leaders or considering a business to invest in, I’ve been asked this question – what is the most important attribute a founder needs to have to succeed? In my view, there are a few, but the most important is hunger. Hunger is […]

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Business development

Why investing in your properties now to achieve MEES hurdles is a financial benefit, as well as an environmental one

Thursday March 2nd, 2023
solar panels on roof of new houses in England uk on bright sunny day.

As energy standards rise for rental properties, we sat down with our Director of Debt Finance Greg Manson to discuss what lending partners can do to keep up with the pace of investors looking to make these changes early.  The real estate sector has fundamentally changed. No longer can we rely on ‘location location location’ […]

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About OakNorth Bank

Graduating into a career at OakNorth – meet our 2023 Graduate Rotational Programme alumnus

Thursday March 2nd, 2023
Olusola Netufo at the OakNorth offices

The OakNorth Graduate Rotational Programme has helped to discover some of the best young talent in banking today. By giving a flavour of multiple departments of the bank, our grads can see the impact of our work from different perspectives and get introduced to roles they may never have considered.   The scheme has attracted bright […]

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Business development

Why independent pharmacies are gaining momentum again

Wednesday February 22nd, 2023
Pharmacist at counter

The high street began with many family-run businesses, including pharmacists providing the communities they served with medicines and other services. Being able to access advice and medicines locally was essential at a time when many consumers did most or all their shopping on the high street. But with the rise of a few more prominent […]

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Business development

The changing face of luxury retirement living

Monday February 13th, 2023
exterior view of the listed Chocolate works care home

With an ageing population and a shifting understanding of what retired life looks like, we’re seeing changes in what people expect from care homes and retirement villages. Where you may have an image of plain rooms filled with easy chairs and the occasional game of bingo, now the retirement home is a tastefully designed modern […]

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Business development

How Brasserie Blanc beat the downturn and grew with OakNorth support

Wednesday January 25th, 2023
chef working in the brasserie blanc kitchen

Hospitality has unfortunately been hit hard by the pandemic, but there have been many tenacious businesses in the sector that have been able to weather the storm. While restaurants have been some of the most severely impacted businesses, the pandemic does also offer them the chance to ‘innovate and find new, creative ways to serve […]

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