GB Bank appoints Mike Says as chief financial officer and executive director

New ‘Champion of the North’ GB Bank, focused on lending to underserved regions of the UK, has announced another new appointment of Mike Says as Chief Financial Officer.

Mike will work from the bank’s headquarters in Middlesbrough and is responsible for GB Bank’s financial strategy and the bank’s commercial path to growth and profitability. He joins the GB Bank’s board which includes Chairman, Paul Rippon who co-founded Monzo and Starling Bank.

Prior to GB Bank, Mike worked as CEO for LQID, a digital bank start-up. Mike has over 30 years’ experience in financial services and banking both in senior finance leadership roles at several established organisations and banking institutions including Harrods Bank, Lloyds Banking Group, and Citibank, along with start-up and business turnaround experience at Capital One and Newday.

GB Bank recently announced it had secured its provisional banking licence making it the UK’s newest challenger bank. Positioned as the ‘go to bank’ for property developers in the North, GB Bank will address the shortage of funding required to get Britain building again. It will be a dedicated lender to SME property developers, focusing initially on the North East, Yorkshire and the North West, and will support the levelling up agenda.

Sue Hayes, Chief Executive Officer, GB Bank said: “We are very pleased to welcome Mike to the GB Bank. He is a results-oriented leader with a proven track record in banking and financial services. As well as his impeccable finance credentials, Mike has considerable experience in setting and driving business strategies and driving shareholder growth. These qualities will be invaluable to GB Bank as we implement our strategy to build a bank offering greater access to finance and benefits for property development businesses across the North of England.”

Mike Says, Chief Financial Officer at GB Bank said: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead GB Bank’s Finance team. GB Bank will have an important role within the UK’s property finance and savings market, connecting customers with experienced relationship managers who have access to tailored financing solutions that will help them realise their potential and thrive.”

Mike’s appointment is subject to regulatory approval and GB Bank is expecting to fully launch during 2022.

For more information and to follow our journey please visit www.gbbank.co.uk