Meet The Team
Published: 29/03/2017
James Blower (Founder)
James has spent the past 12 years in the savings market. Aged just 31, he was hired by National Australia Bank to set up an offshore savings bank, Clydesdale Bank International, in Guernsey. As Managing Director, he built the bank from scratch and grew it to over £1.6bn of deposits and 23 employees, winning numerous industry awards.
His performance drew the attention of start up challenger bank Shawbrook, who appointed him as their first Savings Director. There, he built their savings business, growing deposits to in excess of £2bn. During his tenure, the savings business was recognised with an incredible 14 industry awards.
James left Shawbrook to set up Savings Guru going on to create Harrods Bank's customer service and banking operations and launching their entry to the savings market. He worked with Cambridge & Counties Bank before heading to Masthaven Bank where he was their inaugural Savings Director and responsible for the regulatory submissions and the set up of their savings business.
In 2017, James worked on a variety of savings and banking projects including Zopa’s application to become a bank, relaunching Cambridge Building Society’s savings business, creating Arbuthnot Direct and helping a confidential new entrant bank. He then worked with specialist lender, Pepper Money, where he was Interim Marketing & Product Director. In addition to building the marketing and product function to support their specialist lending businesses, he helped the firm to apply for their banking licence and develop a savings business.
In 2019, James worked with Recognise Financial Services, part of City of London Group, as Interim Chief Marketing & Savings Officer. He was responsible for the marketing and savings parts of their application to become a bank and creating the Recognise Bank brand. James has also support a business services provider looking to enter the savings market.
During 2020, James has worked with some firms seeking authorisation for a banking licence and is currently Interim Savings Director at Oxbury Bank.
Tanya Burrage (Operations Manager)
Tanya is responsible for the efficient running of the company and day to day management of the office. Tanya has a decade of project management experience working for Norfolk Museums Service organising their display team.
Away from The Savings Guru, Tanya is a trustee of The Cater Museum and also works with Chelmsford Museums.