What is the name of the Swindon branch manager in The Office (UK)?

Neil Godwin is the name of the Swindon branch manager in The Office (UK). Played by Patrick Baladi, Neil arrives in the second series and quickly becomes an important rival and superior to David Brent.

Neil initially manages the Swindon branch of Wernham Hogg, the fictional paper company at the centre of the sitcom. When the Swindon and Slough operations become more closely connected, he takes over from Jennifer Taylor-Clarke as David’s immediate superior. Neil is presented as competent, confident and well-liked by staff—qualities that make David feel threatened.

A common mix-up is to identify David Brent as the Swindon manager. Brent manages the Slough branch, while Neil is his counterpart in Swindon. Chris Finch is another frequent wrong answer because he is David’s crude, boastful friend and a sales representative, not a branch manager. Jennifer Taylor-Clarke is also a senior boss, but she is not the Swindon manager.

Neil’s calm professionalism creates a deliberate contrast with Brent’s desperate attempts to appear entertaining and authoritative. Their relationship drives much of the second series, especially as Neil’s management exposes David’s shortcomings.