Board of Directors

Appointed as an Independent Non-Executive Director on 31 March 2024 and Chair on 16 May 2024. Chair of the Nomination Committee and member of the Remuneration Committee.

Skills and experience:

Jim Brown is a banking professional with many years’ experience, gained through a number of executive positions. He was Chief Executive Officer (‘CEO’), Sainsbury’s Bank and a member of the Sainsbury’s Group Operating Board until his retirement from these roles at the end of March 2024. He is a Non-Executive Director on the Board of Just Group plc and is also an investor in, and advisor to, a number of Fintechs.Before this, Jim was the CEO at Future Williams & Glyn within The Royal Bank of Scotland (‘RBS’) Group (now Natwest Group plc) and prior to that he was CEO, Ulster Bank Group. He held a number of senior appointments within RBS and ABN AMRO in Asia and the Middle East and, earlier in his career, with Citibank and Chase AMP Bank.

Long-term contributions

Jim Brown has extensive experience and a proven track record as a banking executive and brings substantial wholesale, commercial and retail banking experience to the Board. He has held roles at the executive level managing both retail and commercial banking for over 35 years at country and regional level across multiple markets and various sized businesses. Much of his career has involved starting, growing and/or restructuring banks and businesses, as well as mergers and acquisitions. Jim also has significant stakeholder management experience including boards, regulators, rating agencies, investors, suppliers, industry bodies, professional firms, unions, politicians and media

Other appointments include:

Jim is a Non-Executive Director of Just Group plc

Appointed to the Board on 17 December 2019 and appointed as CEO on 5 January 2021.

Skills and experience:

David McCreadie has many years of banking experience and is a Fellow of the Chartered Banking Institute. He spent more than 20 years at RBS (now Natwest Group plc) holding roles in Branch Banking, Consumer Finance and several Group central functions. From 2004 to 2008, David was appointed the CEO of Kroger Personal Finance, a joint venture between RBS and Kroger Co, based in Cincinnati, USA. David joined Tesco Personal Finance in 2008 and was a member of the executive team that built Tesco Bank. David was an Executive Director and Managing Director of Tesco Bank, with responsibility for the banking and insurance businesses, from 2015 to 2019.

Long-term contributions

His executive career and wealth of experience in banking, risk management, governance, consumer-facing businesses and retailing provide David with the skills required to manage the day-to-day activities of the Group. His strong leadership and strategic expertise enable him to lead the Group in a sustainable way and create shareholder value.

Appointed to the Board and as Chief Financial Officer (‘CFO’) on 23 September 2020.

Skills and experience:

Rachel Lawrence has considerable experience in financial services gained from a career spanning more than 20 years. She has held senior finance roles in Metro Bank PLC, where she was part of the original team that set up the bank, and Shawbrook Bank where she was part of the successful Initial Public Offering. Prior to joining Secure Trust Bank, Rachel was CFO at AIB Group (UK) plc. She brings considerable banking experience focused on high growth start-up organisation and wider financial services experience gained in asset management, life, pensions and general insurance. She is a qualified chartered management accountant.

Long-term contributions

Rachel’s considerable experience in finance and banking proves invaluable in her role as CFO. She has a deep understanding of the Group’s businesses and strategy and has a strong track record of creating shareholder value

Appointed to the Board on 22 November 2016, appointed Chair of the Audit Committee on 23 September 2017. Member of the Risk and Nomination Committees. Ann was appointed as the Senior Independent Director following the close of the Annual General Meeting on 24 June 2020.

Skills and experience:

Ann Berresford is a Chartered Accountant with a background in the financial services and energy sectors. She has held positions at Bath Building Society, the Pensions Regulator, Hyperion Insurance Group, Triodos Renewables plc, the Pension Protection Fund, Bank of Ireland Group, Clyde Petroleum plc and Grant Thornton.

Long-term contributions

Her career has given Ann experience in mortgages, pensions, operations, accounting, finance and risk. Her previous experience in the renewable sectors gives her a long-term outlook. The insights she has gained from her career mean that she is a strong Senior Independent Director and an excellent addition to the Board and Committees she serves. Her financial background makes her an excellent Chair of the Audit Committee.

Other appointments include:

Ann is a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee of Albion Crown VCT PLC.

Appointed to the Board on 24 October 2024 and as Chair of the Remuneration Committee on 31 December 2024. Member of the Audit and Nomination Committees.

Skills and experience:

Julie Hopes has over 30 years’ experience in financial services, having served in a number of senior roles at RSA plc, before becoming Managing Director of Insurance at Tesco Bank until 2013. She is a Non-Executive Director of Saga plc where she chairs the Remuneration and Risk Committees and is Deputy Chair, and Chair of the Remuneration Committee, of West Bromwich Building Society. Previously Julie was a Non-Executive Director of MS Amlin Underwriting Limited, where she chaired the Risk and Solvency Committee, Chair of Police Mutual and a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Risk Committee of Co-Operative Insurance.

Long-term contributions

Julie’s background has given her experience in remuneration, governance, risk, finance, accounting and corporate strategy. She is an experienced Chair, with a strong customer focus and her skills and experience make her an ideal candidate to lead the Remuneration Committee.

Other appointments include:

Julie is a Non-Executive Director of Saga plc where she also chairs the Remuneration and Risk Committees. She is also Senior Independent Director and Deputy Chair of West Bromwich Building Society.

Appointed to the Board on 1 November 2023. Member of the Remuneration, Risk and Nomination Committees.

Skills and experience:

Victoria Mitchell has many years of banking experience, gained predominantly during a 20-year career with Capital One (Europe) plc, during which she served as Chief Legal Counsel, Chief Risk Officer and Chief Operating Officer. Victoria is the Senior Independent Director of Vocalink Limited, where she chairs the Risk Committee and is a member of the Audit, Remuneration and Nomination Committees.

Victoria was previously a Non-Executive Director and member of the Remuneration and Risk Committees of the West Bromwich Building Society. She also served as a Non-Executive Director at Lookers plc, which gave her considerable insight into the Motor Finance industry. She was a member of the Audit and Risk, Remuneration and Nomination Committees throughout her tenure at Lookers plc, was Chair of the Remuneration Committee from April 2021 to September 2022 and was Chair of Lookers Motor Group Limited. Victoria was also a member of the Audit and Risk Committee, Nomination and Governance Committee and Chair of the Financial Services Board at N Brown Group plc. She is a graduate of Birmingham University.

Long-term contributions

Her background has given Victoria vast experience in risk, remuneration, governance, corporate strategy, and finance, particularly motor finance. This experience makes her a valuable addition to the Remuneration, Risk and Nomination Committees.

Other appointments include:

Victoria is the Senior Independent Director of Vocalink Limited where she also chairs the Risk Committee and is a member of the Audit, Remuneration and Nomination Committees.

Appointed to the Board on 28 November 2018 and as Chair of the Risk Committee on 31 March 2020. Member of the Remuneration and Nomination Committees. Paul is the NonExecutive Director designated for workforce engagement and the Chair of the Employee Council.

Skills and experience:

Paul Myers has many years of banking experience, gained initially in Barclays, where he spent 24 years in a variety of retail banking roles. He was part of the small team that founded and built Aldermore Bank, where he served as Chief Operating Officer, Corporate Development Director and on the Board as an Executive Director. Paul had a wide range of responsibilities at Aldermore, including IT, operations, transformation, marketing and digital as well as building and developing the retail and SME savings operations. Paul also has previous experience as CEO of a FinTech new banking venture, GKBK Limited. Paul is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers.

Long-term contributions

Paul’s career has given him a wide range of experiences and responsibilities, including IT, operations, transformation, marketing and digital as well as building and developing retail and SME savings operations. His insight into banking, and particularly IT and operations, provide a unique viewpoint that complements the Board and the Committees he serves well. His broad experience positions him well as Chair of the Risk Committee.

Other appointments include:

Paul is currently a Non-Executive Director at Ashman Finance Limited, a company currently seeking a UK banking licence.

Appointed to the Board on 30 June 2021 and as Consumer Duty Champion on 27 October 2022. Member of the Audit, Risk and Nomination Committees.

Skills and experience:

Finlay Williamson is a qualified accountant with many years of banking experience, gained initially at RBS (now NatWest Group plc) and then at Virgin Money Holdings (UK) plc, where he was CFO prior to the IPO. Finlay was previously a NonExecutive Director at Paragon Banking Group PLC, where he was a member of the Audit Committee and chaired the Group and Bank Risk Committees.

Long-term contributions

His career has given Finlay experience in retail, SME and auto finance banking, as well as real estate domain experience. He also has experience of corporate acquisitions and subsequent integrations, with significant experience of change and transformation. Finlay has developed good relationships with the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulatory Authority during his career and is up to date with their priorities and processes. He also has prior appointments on plc Boards and Committees. The skills and experience he has gained from his career mean that he is a strong addition to the Board and Committees he serves.

Other appointments include:

Finlay is currently the Chair of the Audit Committee and Senior Independent Director of Hampden & Co PLC.