WHA was born with the idea to provide a flexible resource to international companies in Spain, leveraging our experience of the Spanish market to provide in-depth local knowledge together with a local presence.
WHA was founded by Roger Pike after a 27 year career in Corporate and Business banking. Roger joined Barclays in London on the bank’s Management Development Programme, and was soon posted to Barclays’ Spanish subsidiary in Madrid, where he remained until the launch of WHA.
Throughout his career he has focussed on managing client relationships with companies, from FTSE100 multinationals to start-ups. Among his career highlights, he led the team which won the biggest cash management tender ever awarded to Barclays in Spain for a leading FTSE 100 multinational with more than 50 Spanish subsidiaries. He was also instrumental in devising a solution for internet gaming companies following the regulation of the sector in Spain.
For several years he headed up an Inward Investment team specialised in assisting international companies as they launched into Spain, winning wide recognition for client service. It was this experience that made him aware that having access to local knowledge is a key factor for investing companies to get off to a good start in a new market and position themselves for long-term success.
“During my banking career I have been fortunate to work with hundreds of international companies. I love learning about businesses from diverse sectors, and have worked with companies with activities ranging from technology to real estate, on-line gaming to retail, and logistics to manufacturing.
Familiarising yourself with a new market can be very time consuming, and companies big and small are ever more wary of adding fixed costs.
I am convinced we can play a valuable role by offering a flexible resource that brings access to local knowledge and saves your time, and I am confident that WHA will be a trusted and reliable partner for you in Spain.”
Roger Pike