Redwood Bank appoints Chairman

David Buckley has been appointed Chairman and is a Non-Executive Director, and Nigel Boothroyd will join as a Non-Executive Director.

David holds a number of non-executive and advisory board positions and is currently Independent Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit Committee for CIBC World Markets plc. He was previously the lead Independent Non-Executive Director for Fullerton Health pte in Singapore. Prior to this, he was European CFO for Morgan Stanley, Chief Executive of Morgan Stanley Bank International and a member of its European Management Committee. Before joining Morgan Stanley, David was International Treasurer and European head of the Global Banking Group for Goldman Sachs.

Nigel possesses significant executive-level experience within financial services, having spent some 38 years at HSBC Group. He has held a number of senior roles in the UK, Europe and North America within corporate and commercial banking, credit risk, operational risk, retail banking and wealth management. Between 2012 and 2015 he was the National Head of Corporate Banking for HSBC Canada. Nigel’s appointment as Non-Executive Director and intended Chairman of the Bank’s Risk Committee, will be subject to obtaining regulatory approval.

Jonathan Rowland, Co-Founder and Non-Executive Director of Redwood Bank said: “We are delighted to have both David and Nigel on our Board. They have a wealth of relevant experience and have much to offer us as we look to launch and grow the bank.”

Gary Wilkinson, Co-Founder and Chief Executive of Redwood Bank added:“David and Nigel are very welcome additions to our experienced team, and will both have key roles to play in helping us reach our goals.”

David Buckley said: “I’m delighted to become Chairman of Redwood Bank. There is huge change taking place in the UK SME banking sector, and now is exactly the right time to be launching a new proposition. With no legacy systems and the ability to develop competitive products, I am excited about our future.”

Nigel Boothroyd said: “The bank has ambitious plans and a strong team in place to deliver on these. I’m excited to be part of this and confident that we can bring a fresh, and more customer focused and efficient approach to SME banking.”

Redwood Bank is wholly owned by Redwood Financial Partners Ltd (“RFP”), a company controlled by Jonathan and David Rowland. Warrington Borough Council (“the council”) has acquired a 33% stake in RFP, the first time a borough council has made an investment of this type. The council's Executive board has approved an investment of £30m in Redwood as part of Redwood's capital funding.

Redwood Bank (www.redwoodbank.co.uk) will offer secured SME lending products to owner occupied businesses, as well as to experienced commercial and residential property investors. It will also provide business deposit accounts.

Redwood’s headquarters is in Letchworth, from which a team of business development managers will provide a highly personalised, relationship-driven service, focusing on SMEs throughout its southern and eastern Heartland regions of Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

Prior to launch Redwood Bank will open a northern regional office in Warrington, which will spearhead the Bank’s lending to SMEs in the town as well as the bank’s Heartland region of the North West.

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Notes to editors:

For further details please contact Phil Anderson / Patrick Evans by emailing patrick.evans@citigatedr.co.uk / phil.anderson@citigatedr.co.uk or call 020 7638 9571.

Jonathan Rowland, Co-Founder & Non-Executive Director

Jonathan Rowland has 25 years’ experience as an Investor and Director of Public and Private Companies globally. He has been part responsible for the development of the Rowland Family businesses over that period including leading the restructuring and recapitalisation of Kaupthing Bank Luxembourg. The transaction involved a demerger of the existing business into two new businesses. The first business, Banque Havilland S.A, was a new entity granted a Banking Licence by the CSSF and capitalised by the Rowland Family. The second business was a securitisation vehicle called Pillar Securitisation S.A to which the majority of the Loan Book was placed. Between 2009-2014, Jonathan held the positions of Chief Executive Office of Banque Havilland S.A between 2009-2012, Chief Executive Officer of Banque Havilland (Monaco) SAM between 2012-2013 and was a Board Member of both at all times.
 

Gary Wilkinson, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Gary Wilkinson is a qualified chartered accountant and has 30 years’ experience within financial services, in both the banking and building society sectors. He has held senior positions at Alliance & Leicester Plc, Nationwide Building Society and Newcastle Building Society before joining Pensions Bank in September 2010 as Chief Executive Officer. Gary facilitated the transfer of the undertaking and assets of Pensions Bank in June 2012 to a newly authorised Challenger Bank called Cambridge & Counties Bank (CCB) and became its CEO. Gary co-ordinated and led the submission of the banking licence Application for Authorisation for CCB and led its successful launch in 2012. The Bank moved into profit on a monthly basis just 13 months after launch. When Gary left CCB at the end of 2014 his legacy was one of a secure, robust bank, with a powerful brand, experienced staff and being very well positioned to build upon its successful development to date. Gary is also a Non-Executive Director of Hinckley & Rugby Building Society.