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Our people | Meet Gary Wilkinson

As Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder at Redwood Bank, Gary Wilkinson oversees the day-to-day running of the Bank, supported by a highly experienced management team. Having spent over 30 years within financial services across both banking and building society sectors, Gary has held senior positions at Nationwide Building Society, Alliance & Leicester Plc and Newcastle Building Society before joining Pensions Bank in 2010 as Chief Executive Officer.
 

Tell us more about your role at Redwood Bank and why you’re so passionate about it?

My role is to help formulate the strategy of the Bank as a board director, and then, as CEO, to lead the team in ensuring its successful implementation, in accordance with the Bank’s strategic plan. Day to day I manage overall operations and resources, and act as the main point of communication between the Bank’s board of directors and its corporate operations.
 
No two days are the same at Redwood Bank and, as a Co-Founder and its CEO, I not only look forward to the challenges the day will bring but get an immense sense of pride watching the team interact with our customers and exceed expectations. Our customer feedback is extremely positive, as well over 90 per cent say they are satisfied and would recommend us.
 
Simplicity, Certainty, Integrity and Tirelessness form the basis of Redwood’s approach, which is built on by understanding that people are at the heart of everything we do.
 

What’s your proudest moment to date?

Securing the initial Banking Licence granted by the PRA and FCA back in April 2017. However, there are moments every week, month and now year, that make me extremely proud of the team as everyone works together to build a bank that offers a real alternative for smaller businesses.
 

What advice would you give to someone starting off in banking? And what should we watch out for in the industry?

Firstly, work hard and treat people as you would like to be treated yourself. And secondly, I believe we will start to see an increasing number of digital/tech banks and further significant developments in Open Banking and Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain and Crypto.


If you weren’t CEO at Redwood Bank, what would you be doing?

After university, I pursued accountancy. However, there was a chance I could have gone into law instead. However, it’s very difficult to see Redwood Bank grow and emerge within the marketplace and imagine myself being anywhere else.

 

And finally, please tell us something we don’t know?

Those who work closely with me will know I am quite the sports fan. I was in Sydney in 2003 behind the goal that Johnny Wilkinson kicked the drop goal to win the Rugby Union World Cup.
 

Learn more about the Redwood Bank team

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