Published: May 26, 2015
Unity Trust Bank has announced the appointment of Alan Hughes as its first independent chair following its annual AGM on 22 May 2015.
Alan Hughes said:
“I am delighted to join Unity Trust Bank and look forward to playing my part in delivering our ambitious growth plans. The stars seem to be aligned for a bank that is truly ethical in all it does.
“There is a real and urgent need in the UK for a bank that pursues service to society and sustainability in all it does and where the aims of the shareholders are fully aligned with those of its customers.”
Alan has spent his career in banking. He was on the executive board of HSBC where his responsibilities included the introduction of the HSBC name. He served as Chief Executive of First Direct Bank, ran significant subsidiaries of HSBC and was a main board director of its commercial asset finance group. Currently, he chairs RateSetter, the UK’s leading peer-to-peer lending platform, serves as a non-executive director of the NewDay Group and is the Honorary Treasurer of Loughborough University. He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, has taught banking and holds a MBA degree from Henley Management College.
Retiring Chair, Graham Bennett, said:
“I am immensely proud of the progress that Unity has made in recent years. The time is right for the Bank to forge a fully independent path under new leadership, and Alan Hughes with his record of driving growth, innovation and integrity in banking will be an asset to Unity.”
Dave Prentis, General Secretary of Unison and President of Unity Trust Bank, said:
“Graham Bennett ensured the Bank combined its dual mission of financial prudence and positive social impact to great effect. I, and everyone at Unity, are very grateful for his wise stewardship and support.
“The appointment of Alan Hughes as the first independent Chair is an exciting new step in Unity’s development, and will see us continue to deliver our founding principles while driving real growth potential.”
