Metro Bank is excited to announce the appointment of Luke Johnson to their board as a non-executive director. This appointment comes as Metro Bank prepares to open their ninth store in Uxbridge and celebrates opening over 37,000 accounts.
Luke Johnson has had enormous success with some of the UK’s favourite high street retailers and now sits on the board of the UKs most exciting new bank. He is an experienced private equity investor and has a wide array of experience in retail business ownership, management and expansion. Johnson is currently Chairman of the Giraffe restaurant group and Patisserie Valerie. Johnson has been Chairman of the RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Commerce and Manufacturers) since 2009, and chairs a theatrical charity called Stage One.
Johnson served as Chairman of PizzaExpress PLC for 6 years from 1993 and oversaw the expansion from 15 restaurants to over 200. Additionally, he established the highly successful wood-fired pizzeria chain, Strada, which now numbers over 75 units across the UK.
In addition to his extensive experience within the restaurant industry, Johnson also has a wide array of experience within health, broadcast and the arts. From 1996 to 2006, he served as Director, major shareholder and co-founder of Integrated Dental Holdings. He also served as Chairman of Channel 4 Television Corporation from 2004 to 2010, and as a trustee of the University of the Arts London from 2000 to 2006. Johnson writes a weekly column for the Financial Times on business and entrepreneurship.
Anthony Thomson, co-founder and Chairman of Metro Bank, commented on the appointment: “We’re very pleased to appoint Luke Johnson to the board of Metro Bank. He brings with him significant experience in growing UK high street businesses, which will really benefit the board as we move into our next period of expansion. Our non-executive directors offer a realm of perspectives and guidance to the Metro Bank Board, borne out by strong business track records.”
Luke Johnson commented on his appointment: “I am excited to be joining the board of Metro Bank, and look forward to helping them with their ambitious expansion plans. Britain needs the new ideas of customer service that they bring to the banking industry.”