Santander UK has been accepted as a member of The Aldersgate Group, a politically impartial, multi-stakeholder alliance championing a prosperous, net zero emissions, environmentally sustainable economy. Its members include some of the largest businesses in the UK. It aims to trigger the change in policy required to address environmental challenges effectively, affordably and in a way that can maximise economic and job creation benefits across the UK.
As a member of the Group, Santander will take part in thought leadership on climate, environmental and clean growth issues, join a cross-economy and cross-society forum of environmental thought leaders, and share knowledge with sustainability experts.
Andrew Wilson, Director of Communications and Responsible Banking at Santander UK, said: “I am delighted to announce that Santander has been accepted as a member of The Aldersgate Group. One of our key strategic ambitions is to be a sustainable and responsible bank, and a central part of this is contributing to the fight against climate change and supporting the green economy. Aldersgate membership will enhance our efforts to collaborate with peers and our development of cross-sectoral alliances to support the wider transition to a net zero economy.”
Rachel Solomon Williams, Executive Director at the Aldersgate Group, said: “Financial institutions like Santander UK play a vital role in supporting households and the real economy in the transition to a net zero and nature positive economy by providing capital and innovative financial products. As one of the UK’s largest residential mortgage providers and a subsidiary of Banco Santander, a leader in renewable energy finance globally, Santander will help to bolster the Aldersgate Group’s expertise on energy efficiency, sustainable finance, and the renewable energy transition.”
-Ends-
Notes to editors
The Aldersgate Group is an alliance of leaders from business, academia and civil society that drives action for a sustainable economy. Our members include some of the largest businesses in the UK, leading NGOs, professional institutes, and academic institutions. Our mission is to trigger the change in policy required to address environmental challenges effectively and secure economic benefits for the UK in doing so.
Santander UK is a financial services provider in the UK that offers a wide range of personal and commercial financial products and services. At 30 June 2023, the bank had around 19,400 employees and serves around 14 million active customers, 7 million digital customers via a nationwide 445 branch network, telephone, mobile and online banking. Santander UK is subject to the full supervision of the FCA and the PRA in the UK. Santander UK plc customers’ eligible deposits are protected by the FSCS in the UK.
Banco Santander (SAN SM, STD US, BNC LN) is a leading commercial bank, founded in 1857 and headquartered in Spain. It has a meaningful presence in 10 core markets in the Europe, North America and South America regions, and is one of the largest banks in the world by market capitalization. Santander aims to be the best open financial services platform providing services to individuals, SMEs, corporates, financial institutions and governments. The bank’s purpose is to help people and businesses prosper in a simple, personal and fair way. Santander is building a more responsible bank and has made a number of commitments to support this objective, including raising €220 billion in green financing between 2019 and 2030. At the end of the third quarter of 2023, Banco Santander had €1.3 trillion in total funds, 166 million customers, 8,700 branches and 212,000 employees.
Media Enquiries
mediarelations@santander.co.uk
Hannah Schraer M: 07708 290801 E: hannah.schraer@santander.co.uk
Emily Osborne M: 07561 873389 E: Emily.osborne@santander.co.uk