Case Study NatWest Group
One of Britain’s biggest banks are outfitted with new, stylish uniforms as they serve millions across the UK.
About NatWest Group
Championing financial services
The RBS Group, now known as NatWest Group, covers three main brands; Royal Bank of Scotland, NatWest and Ulster Bank, but also includes numerous smaller brands that branch off from the main group. Collectively, these make NatWest Group the 2nd largest banking organisation in the UK.
Incorporatewear successfully secured the NatWest Group Corporate Clothing account at the end of 2014 and continued to supply their uniform across the various RBS businesses until the launch of a brand new uniform in Summer 2016, designed and manufactured by Incorporatewear.
We knew we wanted to create something that not only encapsulates the professional NatWest/RBS branding, but also a uniform that is comfortable and practical to work in. We also wanted to work extremely closely with NatWest to ensure their feedback was implemented, as NatWest wanted to adopt a ‘You said, we did’ approach.
The new uniform range was also created with adaptability in mind, with NatWest Group having many subsidiary brands, we wanted the uniform to be flexible in the requirements for some of the other brands under the group, including Ulster Bank Ltd DAC (Republic of Ireland) and the Isle of Man Bank
The Numbers
The End Result
“Uniform better than an extra days holiday!”
Following the 2016 uniform range launch, it received high praise from NatWest Group employees, with one branch voting it as the best change that year, above getting an extra days holiday.
The uniform was designed to use a common suiting fabric across all male and female styles, shirting, blouses, and knitwear, worn with branded accessories all provided by us. The suiting uses a nano-tech finish and shape memory, allowing recovery after creasing and is water repellent. We designed the uniform to be smart and professional but also to include fabric and functions that are comfortable and practical to work in. The use of a dark navy suiting with lilac and purple garments and trims, compliment the new modern refurbished branch interiors to enhance the brand identities.
The Design and Account Management team here worked closely with NatWest Group colleagues across the UK to trial the new designs across 12 branches before editing the styles to a final range, working across all shapes and sizes. This feedback was part of NatWest Group’s goal of a ‘You said, we did’ approach and gave the uniform an iconic personality. The colour block shift dress designer was a particular success story, made in poly/wool/elastane comfortable fabric mix available across all sizes. Whilst the men enjoyed having the option for slim fit suiting, for a more modern, fresh look.
Adaptations
A modular design that could be adapted for all brands under NatWest Group.
Flexibility was a strong theme for this uniform, ensuring it could be adapted for the requirements of some of the other brands within the NatWest Group business, including Ulster Bank Ltd DAC (Republic of Ireland) and the Isle of Man Bank.
This was achieved by supplying the same dark suits but without the purple trims, along with white shirting and blouses with bespoke tie and scarves to accessorise. For example, we produced a bespoke Welsh tie and scarf which featured the iconic Welsh Dragon for NatWest branches in Wales, and a tartan pattern for the Scottish wearers within Royal Bank, along with refreshed bespoke accessories for Drummonds, Child & Co and Holds Military Banking, all under the NatWest umbrella.
This demonstrates the adaptability of the core uniform design and the great way it allows wearers across different brands to retain a bespoke identity.
Incorporatewear were delighted to receive the Highly Commended award for ‘Best Stock Design’ at the 2017 Professional Clothing Awards for the supply of NatWest Group uniform.
I’ve worked for NatWest for over ten years and I have never been happy to wear the uniform until now.
Employee NatWest
