At Banks Group, community is at the heart of everything we do. In this blog, we sit down with Jamilah and Kate, our dedicated Community Relations Managers, to explore their roles, the impact they make, and what drives them both professionally and personally. Plus, we dive into a bonus section about Jamilah’s passion for music!
Jamilah and Kate: Connecting Communities with Banks Group
Q: Can you tell us about your roles as Community Relations Managers at Banks Group and what that entails on a day-to-day basis?
Jamilah: My role involves working with communities and project teams across the North East—places like South Tyneside, Newcastle, Gateshead—and extending into North Yorkshire. Daily, I collaborate with project teams to build our development portfolios, engaging with council leaders, cabinet members, local councillors, and residents to understand community needs. I also connect with community groups to explore how our project community funds can support their initiatives.
Kate: I do similar work but cover County Durham, Tees Valley (Darlington, Stockton, Middlesbrough), and parts of North Yorkshire, Harrogate, Hambleton, Selby, and Wakefield. Unlike Jamilah, I also support the mining division, focusing on legacy primarily. My role ensures community engagement in these schemes, helping to bridge Banks Group with local stakeholders.
Q: How do you approach building relationships with communities, and what’s the most rewarding part of your work?
Jamilah: Google is my best friend! I use it to find local groups and organizations, then reach out to learn about their projects and see if our funding can help. The most rewarding part is discovering how many people are doing incredible things for their communities. Before joining Banks, I wasn’t aware of this vibrant network, and it’s been eye-opening to support their efforts.
Kate: With 30 years in the voluntary sector, I’m familiar with community challenges and leverage my network, including local CVS organizations and parish councils. The rewarding part is seeing the impact of our work, though it can be challenging when councils hesitate to engage due to perceived conflicts of interest. Perseverance is key, and I love knowing we’re making a difference, regardless of planning outcomes.
Q: Why is community engagement such an important part of Banks Group’s business, and how does it make a difference?
Kate: Unlike many developers, Banks Group has a dedicated community team, which sets us apart. Engaging communities early—through schools, local groups, and councils—builds trust and minimizes surprises. Our community funds and proactive approach show we’re committed to being good neighbours, even if developments cause temporary disruption.
Jamilah: It’s about creating lasting value. Our engagement ensures communities feel heard and supported, which is rare in housebuilding. This commitment makes Banks unique, and it’s why we love working here.
Q: What’s the most challenging aspect of working in community relations, and how do you overcome it?
Jamilah: Balancing community needs with project team goals is tough. We’re deeply community-focused, but as part of the project team, we also have business objectives. The challenge is advocating for communities while aligning with the team. Thankfully, our colleagues value our role, listen to our concerns, and work collaboratively to find solutions.
Kate: It’s a fine line between addressing resident concerns and meeting business needs, especially in housebuilding where daily issues arise. Our teams are supportive, but sometimes we can’t fully satisfy everyone. We overcome this by listening, communicating, and striving for the best possible outcomes.
Q: How do you ensure Banks Group’s values of sustainability and quality are reflected in your community outreach?
Kate: Sustainability and quality are core to Banks. From restoring legacy mining sites to designing sustainable homes with features like solar panels and air-source heat pumps, we’re ahead of the curve. Our publications, like the Corporate Responsibility newsletter, highlight how we value communities, the environment, and quality.
Jamilah: Our history in renewables (2009–2023) shaped our commitment to sustainability, which we’ve carried into housebuilding. We exceed Future Homes Standards, incorporating eco-friendly designs. This legacy drives our future, and it’s why we’re passionate about our work.
Q: Do you have a favourite house type or design feature?
Jamilah: I love open-plan kitchen-dining areas, like the ones at our Cathedral Meadows show homes. They’re perfect for family life—where stories are shared and memories made. If I could name a house type, it’d be “The Hassan,” with a big kitchen island, cozy seating, and indoor-outdoor flow to the garden.
Kate: I also love open-plan designs for their family-friendly vibe. I’d call my dream house “The Culverhouse,” with spacious bedrooms, luxurious bathrooms, and a study for working from home. Kids I’ve shown around our West Rainton homes were thrilled with the space—they’d happily live in the cupboards!
Q: Can you share a moment that made you feel particularly proud of your work at Banks Group?
Jamilah: Recently, I worked with Newcastle United Foundation on their “NU Zone” project, supporting diverse communities, including asylum seekers and refugees. Seeing how our funding helped such a multicultural network in my home city was humbling and made me proud to represent Banks.
Kate: When our West Rainton project was nominated for a community engagement award, it showed how much Banks values our work. It’s hard to measure the impact of funding food banks, hospices, or youth trips, but knowing we’re appreciated internally and externally is incredibly rewarding.
Q: How do communities learn about Banks Group’s funding opportunities?
Kate: Through our nearly 50-year history, including our Point North fund, we’ve built a reputation. Communities reach out via our website, word of mouth, or when we proactively seek groups in new project areas. Demand often exceeds funding, so we guide applicants to other opportunities when possible.
Jamilah: We also actively search for groups in new development areas, ensuring we connect with those who need support most.
Q: What are you most excited about for Banks Group’s future community engagement?
Jamilah: I’m thrilled to see Banks grow in housebuilding, especially in the North East. Our unique community-focused approach will set us apart, and I’m excited to work with residents in new development areas, continuing our legacy of positive impact.
Kate: I’m looking forward to projects like Hambleton, a smaller site with complex community needs. Balancing those challenges while maintaining our commitment to engagement is exciting. As Banks grows, I’m confident we’ll stay true to our values, avoiding the “volume housebuilder” model.
Q: Tea, coffee, or chocolate—what’s your go-to?
Jamilah: Ice-cold water or a full-fat Coke for a treat. For chocolate, it’s a big Galaxy bar (plastic wrapper, not foil!), Ferrero Rocher, Toblerone, or thin Dairy Milk Fruit & Nut.
Kate: Coffee, though I’m warming to Moroccan Rose or green tea. I’m a chocolate lover—Galaxy, Twirl, or a premium milk chocolate bar are my picks.
Bonus: Jamilah’s Musical Journey
Q: Can you tell us more about your passion for music and your current favourite song to sing?
Music has always been a huge part of my life, thanks to my mom, a fantastic singer. I didn’t start singing until I was 19, but since then, it’s been a core part of who I am. I’ve been singing for 16 years and never want that to change. My current favourite song to sing is “All My Life” by K-Ci & JoJo, as I’m rehearsing it for a wedding performance next week.
Q: How would people describe you in three words?
Loud, happy, not serious.
Q: You often sing in the office with colleague Justin. How did that start, and how do you find time for it?
Justin and I bonded over music a couple of years ago—he’s in a band, and I went to see him perform. He later came to my show at the Morpeth Festival. One day, at a work event, a Corinne Bailey Rae song came on, and we decided to record it in the office. On my lunch break, I learned the lyrics, and we recorded it upstairs in 15 minutes. We’ve done about three songs now, picking tracks randomly or based on recommendations. It’s quick, fun, and I admire Justin’s talent as a musician. I wish I could play piano or guitar, but for now, I love our impromptu jam sessions.
Q: As a food lover, what’s your all-time favourite dish to cook or eat?
Food makes me happy! My favourite dish to eat is pilau, a traditional Zanzibari rice dish, but it’s for special occasions. For everyday, I love chicken and rice with an avocado salad on the side—it always hits the spot.
Jamilah and Kate embody Banks Group’s commitment to community, sustainability, and quality. Their passion for building relationships and making a difference shines through in their work and personal stories. Stay tuned for more insights into the people behind Banks Group!
