Newly-licensed challenger Alba Bank appoints Robert Sharpe as Chairman and Andrew Lewis as Chief Risk Officer, enhancing its leadership team for SME lending.
Facts
- Alba Bank, headquartered in Glasgow, UK, focuses on SME lending.
- Robert Sharpe, the new Chairman, has 45 years of retail banking experience and currently chairs Metro Bank, Hampshire Trust Bank, and Pollen Street Capital.
- Sharpe previously chaired Bank of Ireland from 2016-2020.
- He aims to help Alba Bank develop its strategy.
- Sharpe expresses excitement about joining Alba Bank’s journey.
- Andrew Lewis, the new Chief Risk Officer (CRO), brings 25 years of financial services experience.
- Lewis previously served as CRO at Aldermore Bank and as an expert partner at Bain & Co.
- Most of his experience comes from NatWest Group, where he co-founded Esme Loans and held various senior roles.
- Lewis believes Alba can champion SMEs as a specialist lender.
- Alba Bank was founded in 2018 by Jim McColl.
- It obtained a banking license from UK regulators earlier this year.
- CEO Rod Ashley is confident in the bank’s new leadership team, positioning Alba Bank as a challenger bank supporting SMEs.
