Both are key appointments as the bank continues through its build phase towards launch in early 2018.

James joins from ABN AMRO Bank UK, where he was CFO in charge of strengthening the finance and tax functions to support the Group’s international growth strategy. Prior to that he was CFO and a founding director of SME focused challenger bank Cambridge & Counties, during which time he helped to guide the bank through the final stages of the regulatory approval process and built their finance, reporting, treasury and prudential risk management processes. James also worked at Close Brothers Group plc for 14 years where he was Finance Director of the Banking Division which focused on SME lending.

CivilisedBank has also appointed Andrew Holmes as Chief Technology Officer. Andrew joins from Silicon Valley Bank, where as Head of the Enterprise Programme Management Office he was at the forefront of implementing the launch of the bank’s UK branch, its first outside the US, and put in place the programme for the launch of a branch in Germany. In this role, he also significantly redesigned the Enterprise Programme Management Office.

Philip Acton, Chief Executive Officer, CivilisedBank said, “We’re delighted to have James and Andrew joining the CivilisedBank team. As CFO, James brings a wealth of experience, having helped to launch a challenger bank in the past. He also has great SME financing, risk and regulatory experience. James will be a real asset to the bank as we prepare for launch in early 2018 and as we enter the next phase of our development.

“Technology will play a vital role in helping us to deliver our business model and - as CTO - Andrew brings significant experience in building and launching technology platforms for a new bank. Andrew will be pivotal in delivering technology to provide the best possible service to our customers.”

James Heath, Chief Financial Officer, CivilisedBank said: “I am delighted to be joining CivilisedBank as it looks to reinvent traditional banking and rebuild trust between customers and their bank. CivilisedBank’s culture and ethos are crucial in achieving this goal, and the emphasis on relationships and service rather than short-term transaction deals is essential if trust is to be rebuilt. I’m delighted to be working with the team at such a critical time for the bank as it works to serve the needs of UK SMEs.”

Andrew Holmes, Chief Technology Officer, CivilisedBank said: “CivilisedBank will be providing a service to SMEs that is both new and necessary, as it caters to a group currently underserved by the incumbent and online-only banks, and I’m thrilled to be joining the team. The right technology will be a great enabler as Local Bankers work with customers in an agile and innovative way, and I’m excited to be leading the development of this crucial platform.”