Richard will join the bank in early 2021, and will report to the CEO, Daniel Frumkin. Andrew Shiels, who joined the bank in February as Interim CRO, will continue to support the bank over the coming months until Richard joins and to ensure a smooth transition.

Richard joins from the Co-operative Bank where he also held the position of Chief Risk Officer. He has 25 years’ experience in financial services including roles at Lloyds Banking Group, HBOS and MBNA.

Commenting on the appointment, Daniel Frumkin, Metro Bank CEO says: “Richard’s deep experience in retail financial services will be invaluable as we deliver on our revised strategy set out in February. Investment in our risk infrastructure is a really important part of the strategy, to ultimately make life easier for our customers and colleagues, and help us deliver on our ambition to become the UK’s best community bank. Richard will be a great addition to our Executive team and I’m looking forward to working with him.”

Richard Lees added: “Metro Bank has proven itself as a challenger bank committed to bringing something different to banking and really delivering for its customers and communities. I’m really looking forward to joining the team."

Richard’s appointment, together with Martin Boyle who has joined the Bank as Chief Transformation Officer and Carol Frost starting in August as Chief People Officer, completes a number of changes made to the Bank’s ExCo.