Tracy Blake
About Tracy Blake
Tracy Blake serves as the Local Director at Nationwide Building Society and Head of Branches & Savings at Loughborough Building Society, bringing over two decades of experience in the financial services sector. Known for her commitment to member-centric decision-making and leadership in equality initiatives, she has held various managerial roles throughout her career.
Work at Nationwide Building Society
Tracy Blake has held multiple roles at Nationwide Building Society since 2003. She currently serves as Local Director in Leicester, Leicestershire, a position she has held since 2018. Prior to this, she worked as District Manager for the East Midlands region from 2015 to 2022. Her earlier roles include Area Manager for Mortgage Supervision from 2011 to 2015, Sales Coach from 2004 to 2006, and Branch Manager from 2003 to 2004. Tracy has also returned to the role of Local Director from 2016 to 2021, demonstrating her extensive experience within the organization.
Education and Expertise
Tracy Blake has pursued various educational qualifications relevant to her career in finance and management. She studied at The London Institute of Banking & Finance, achieving qualifications in Mortgages (CeMAP 3) in 2012 and Equity Release in 2019. Additionally, she obtained HR qualifications from CIPD in 1999 and completed a Level 3 NVQ in Retail in 1993. Tracy has also achieved Mental Health First Aid certification from NHS England since 2021, highlighting her commitment to mental well-being in the workplace.
Background
Tracy Blake began her career in retail as a Retail Sales Supervisor at Boots from 1995 to 2000. She transitioned to the financial sector in 2000 when she joined Nationwide Building Society as a Customer Service Manager. Over the years, she has gained extensive experience in various roles, including branch management and coaching, which has contributed to her current leadership positions. Tracy has a strong foundation in customer service and operational management, which has been pivotal in her career progression.
Achievements
Throughout her career, Tracy Blake has been involved in significant initiatives and projects. She successfully implemented changes related to the Mortgage Market Review (MMR) and coached teams on complex suitability letters, earning recognition as a front runner for Non Executive Leader of the Year. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she led national service projects, including a system to route contact center calls to branches to address increased member demand. Tracy has also focused on operational risk management and has led initiatives around Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I).
Leadership and Management Style
Tracy Blake is known for her informed decision-making approach, utilizing Management Information (MI) to guide actions and identify root causes. She emphasizes continuous improvement and fosters an environment conducive to success for her team members. Tracy is dedicated to member and customer-centric decision-making, ensuring legendary service across the branch network. Her leadership style includes a strong focus on competition, call answering quality, and complaints management, which contributes to the overall performance of her teams.