Each week Bristol Business News gives a prominent member of the city’s business community the last word on its weekly e-bulletin. This week Rebecca Pritchard, head of Business Banking at Triodos Bank, answers our 10 questions.
What was the last: 
Film you watched? Gravity – with Sandra Bullock and George Clooney. The space cinematography and special effects were amazing but I was really gutted that George didn’t make it and exited the film after about 20 minutes!
Book you read? The Miniaturist, Jessie Burton’s debut novel which I read for my book club. It is set in 1680’s Amsterdam and was really evocative and atmospheric, with a touch of surrealism thrown in.
Music you bought/downloaded? Uptown Funk (Bruno Mars/Mark Ronson) – I think it’s so catchy and retro – it reminds me of the 80s.
Concert or play you went to? I haven’t been to either recently, but I was very excited to see the recent “opening” of the Fog Bridge (Pero’s Bridge), which Triodos sponsored as part of Bristol European Green Capital. Don’t miss seeing it for yourself, its around until 22 Feb.
Sporting event you attended? Watching England beat Wales at rugby during the opening match of the 6 Nations in the pub probably doesn’t count – so it would have to be watching my daughter Anna eventing on her grey horse, Dino. Some of the cross country jumps are so scary that I have to close my eyes – luckily she keeps hers open!
Holiday you went on? My husband and I spent two weeks in the Dordogne in September and had a wonderful time touring the countryside visiting beautiful hillside bastides, the medieval towns of Sarlat and Albi, consuming copious amounts of goats cheese, duck and local wine, and butchering the French language.
Restaurant you ate in? You couldn’t call it a restaurant, but I am completely addicted to the delicious fresh falafel salad boxes at Eat a Pitta in St Nick’s market. If they delivered I would have it every day!
Thing that annoyed you? Reading about Coca-Cola’s cynical move into the milk market due to declining soft drink sales with a premium product called Fairlife which is double the price of conventional milk, has more protein and calcium, and is lactose free. Just stick to organic!
Thing that made you laugh out loud? Listening to the Now Show on Radio 4 as I head home on a Friday – I think Hugh Dennis and Steve Punt are hilarious and it always puts me in a good mood for the weekend.
Piece of good advice you were given? To meditate for 20 minutes every morning. It’s an ongoing battle with the alarm clock though!
American-born Rebecca Pritchard began her career as a corporate relationship banker with Chase Manhattan Bank in New York before relocating to the UK in 1989 to join the bank’s Project Finance team. Ten years later, she joined accountancy firm Grant Thornton in Bristol establishing their regional, Government & Infrastructure Advisory team.
After 14 years at Grant Thornton, Rebecca made the move to Triodos Bank, and has been UK Head of Business Banking since 2013 where her team lends more than half a billion pounds to some of the UK’s leading sustainable businesses and charities. Triodos Bank only finances enterprises which deliver social, environmental and cultural benefits, and actively supports social enterprise, renewable energy, organic farming and social housing. Rebecca’s appointment 18 months ago means that women now make up half of Triodos UK’s senior management team.
