Tandem Bank has made a series of senior leadership appointments as the digital challenger targets its next stage of growth.
Simon Bowen has joined as chief risk officer, while Kevin Purcell has been appointed chief people officer.
The bank has also appointed Darvish Heshejin (main picture) as managing director of home improvement lending and expanded Tom Ellmers’ executive role to managing director of deposits and digital experience.
Tandem said the changes formed part of an investor-backed strategy focused on sustainable finance and helping customers build greater financial resilience.
RISK AND PEOPLE APPOINTMENTS
Bowen joined from Hodge Bank, where he was chief risk officer, and has more than 25 years’ experience in risk and finance transformation. His previous roles include positions at Lloyds Banking Group and Principality Building Society.
Tandem has also appointed Natalie Trist as director of credit risk strategy. She brings more than 25 years’ credit leadership experience from businesses including HSBC, Close Brothers, Secure Trust Bank and Vanquis Banking Group.
Purcell joined as chief people officer from Secure Trust Bank, where he held the same position. He has more than 30 years’ experience in financial services and has previously worked at Universities Superannuation Scheme, Barclays Investment Bank and UBS Investment Bank.
He succeeded Catherine Diamond, who spent two years as Tandem’s chief people officer.
HOME IMPROVEMENT LENDING
Heshejin moved from director of strategy and proposition to managing director of home improvement lending.
He will be responsible for scaling the bank’s home improvement lending proposition as Tandem approaches £1bn of green lending, as well as leading the launch of its revamped marketplace proposition.
Heshejin succeeded Julian Nutley, who will move into a new role as senior adviser to Tandem from September.
Nutley founded Allium Money, the green lending business acquired by Tandem in 2020, and has played a central role in developing the bank’s home improvement lending proposition.
He said: “It has been a privilege to help build Tandem’s home improvement lending business into what it is today. I’m incredibly proud of what the team has achieved and I’m looking forward to continuing to support Darvish as he takes it from strength to strength.”
DIGITAL ROLE EXPANDED
Ellmers, who has been with Tandem for more than four years, has expanded his executive responsibilities as managing director of deposits and digital experience.
His remit brings together the bank’s deposits, app, customer experience, brand, corporate communications and digital marketing functions.
Neil Chandler, CEO of Tandem, says: “Tandem is entering a defining and important next stage of growth, backed by a clear investor-supported strategy and with ambition to scale our impact, and continued investment in sustainable finance.
“These changes bring together our risk, people, lending, and digital teams under leaders with a proven track record, as we invest in the next phase of our growth.”
