Our Board

Stuart Sinclair – Independent non-executive Chair and Chair of the Nominations and Governance Committee

Appointed: March 2020

Key skills: Highly experienced Chair, non-executive director and CEO with a background in insurance, banking and consumer financial services.

Contributions: A strong and effective Board leader with extensive experience in retail banking, insurance and consumer finance ensures a balanced strategic and operational oversight. An insightful and inclusive style fosters a culture of openness and debate within the Board, providing appropriate management challenges.

Current directorships: Chair of Willis Ltd and Chair of Vida Bank, member of the advisory board at the Bradford Literature Festival.

Stuart is also a member of the Remuneration Committee. 

Gerard Ryan – Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer

Appointed: January 2012

Key skills: Inspirational leadership and effective, objective implementation of strategy; over 30 years’ multicountry experience in consumer financial services.

Contributions: Acute market insight which provides a real advantage in driving the implementation of the strategy, and identifying and pursuing growth opportunities.

Gerard is also a member of the Disclosure Committee.

Gary Thompson – Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer

Appointed: April 2022

Key skills: Strong financial leadership with over 20 years’ financial experience spent in both the accounting and corporate sectors.

Contributions: Establishment and owner of the Group’s financial model; effectively supporting the Board, the CEO and executive management in driving optimum financial performance; diversifying the funding base; and developing a more proactive investor relations programme to increase confidence and shareholder value.

Gary is Chair of the Disclosure Committee

Katrina Cliffe – Senior Independent non-executive director and Board Workforce Engagement lead

Appointed: August 2022

Key skills: Extensive experience of financial services with a breadth of executive experience in retail financial services, credit cards, customer service and marketing.

Contributions: Expertise in retail financial services, credit cards, customer service and marketing.

Current directorships: Non Executive Director and Chair of the Remuneration Committees of DCC plc and Vue International.

Katrina is a member of the Remuneration Committee and the Nominations and Governance Committee.

Richard Holmes – Independent non-executive director and Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee

Appointed: March 2020

Key skills: A former senior executive with over 40 years of broad international financial services experience, including 20 years as CEO and board member in private banking, wholesale banking, capital markets, trading operations, strategy and finance.

Contributions: Risk management and how this interacts with strategy and operations with technical expertise valued in Board discussions.

Current directorships: Chair of Revolut NewCo UK Ltd, non-executive director of Itau BBA International plc and a trustee of the Barry and Peggy High Charitable Foundation.

Richard is also a member of the Remuneration Committee and the Nominations and Governance Committee.

Deborah Davis – Independent non-executive director and Chair of the Remuneration Committee

Appointed: October 2018

Key skills: Experience in fintech, consumer and technology businesses undergoing digital transformation, growth and geographic expansion. Digital technology expertise, senior leadership experience in high-growth companies in international markets.

Contributions: Valuable strategic and operational insights on growth and expansion of digital capabilities as well as customer experience, innovation and governance throughout the Company.

Current directorships: Non-executive director of Lloyds Banking Group/ Scottish Widows Insurance Board, non-executive director of YouGov plc, non-executive director of Sirius Real Estate plc and a trustee of Southern African Conservation Trust in South Africa.

Deborah is also a member of the Audit and Risk Committee and the Nominations and Governance Committee.

Aileen Wallace – Independent non-executive director

Appointed: December 2022

Key skills: Experienced non-executive with a wealth of transformational experience including business build-out and digitally enabled growth.

Contributions: Enhancing Board discussions focused on technology, innovation and change.

Current directorships: Chair of the Remuneration Committee, Workforce NED and Chair of Innovation at Hodge Group and Hodge Bank. Senior Independent Director and Chair of the Board Risk Committee of Tandem Bank, and Chair of the Board Risk Committee at Target Tech Mahindra.

Aileen is a member of the Audit and Risk Committee and the Nominations and Governance Committee