Metro Bank is pleased to welcome aboard two new senior hires to its leadership team as part of its ambitious expansion plans.
Ian Walters will join the Executive Team as Managing Director of Commercial Banking and Iain Kirkpatrick will join the Executive Team as Managing Director of Regional Banking. Both will take up their roles in August, reporting directly into Metro Bank CEO Craig Donaldson.
Joining from RBS, Ian Walters brings with him a wealth of experience, having previously held the roles of managing director of business banking and managing director of specialised relationship management within the bank’s business and commercial banking area. He will oversee Metro Bank’s growing business and commercial customer base, which represents almost half (44%) of the bank’s total lending and continues to be a core focus.
Iain Kirkpatrick will be responsible for overseeing all activity across Metro Bank’s growing number of London and South East-based stores, and will be instrumental in future expansion plans. Metro Bank recently celebrated the opening of its 36th store with another four planned before the end of the year. Joining from the UK Private Bank division at Lloyds Banking Group, Iain has many years of experience in the banking sector. Prior to his most recent role he held a number of positions including Retail and Mortgage Director for Lloyds TSB Scotland and the running of retail branch networks for Lloyds and Halifax in London and the South East.
Speaking on his appointment, Ian Walters commented: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining Metro Bank. Small and medium-sized enterprises play a crucial role in the economy. At Metro Bank we deliver local relationship banking focused squarely on the needs of the customer. I am confident we are well placed to support an increasing number of businesses thereby making an important contribution to local communities.”
Iain Kirkpatrick commented: “I'm delighted to have the opportunity to join such a genuinely customer focused organisation as Metro Bank, especially at such an exciting time in its growth. The culture throughout the business is very unique and one I have admired for some time, so I’m looking forward to becoming part of the banking revolution!"
Metro Bank Chief People Officer, Danielle Harmer said: “We are excited to welcome Ian and Iain to the Metro Bank family, where they will play pivotal roles in our mission to revolutionise banking. Both Ian and Iain bring a wealth of experience to their respective roles and we look forward to working closely with them, especially at such an exciting time for the business and the Metro Bank story.”
Now entering its fifth year, Metro Bank has just celebrated the opening of its 36th store, with plans to expand further by the end of the year. Reporting financials for the second quarter of the year, Metro Bank announced it recently surpassed £2 billion in lending.