Tandem makes leadership team appointments as it prepares for growth
Tandem Bank has implemented a number of changes to its leadership team as part of preparations for its next stage of growth.
Simon Bowen has been appointed the digital challenger bank’s chief risk officer. He has in excess of 25 years of experience in risk and finance transformation in the UK banking industry and was previously the chief risk officer at Hodge Bank. He has also held roles at Lloyds Banking Group and Principality Building Society.
The bank has also added Natalie Trist as its director of credit risk strategy. She has over 25 years’ experience in credit leadership, having worked across HSBC, Close Brothers, Secure Trust Bank and Vanquis Lending Group.
Bowen commented: “Tandem has established itself as one of the most credible purpose-led digital banks in the market. I’m delighted to be joining the executive team and look forward to playing my part in what comes next.”
Tandem Bank has appointed Kevin Purcell as its chief people officer, having previously held the same role at Secure Trust Bank. He brings over three decades of senior people leadership experience in the financial services space. In his new role at the bank, he succeeds Catherine Diamond, who served as the firm’s chief people officer for two years.
Purcell said: “You can tell a lot about a business from the recognition it earns from its own people. Back-to-back Sunday Times awards showcase what Tandem is building, and I am looking forward to taking that agenda further as we scale.”
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Internal appointments
As well as these appointments, Tandem Bank has also made internal changes, with Darvish Heshejin having been appointed managing director of home improvement lending, succeeding Julian Nutley. Previously the director of strategy and proposition, Heshejin’s new role will involve scaling the firm’s home improvement lending proposition as it nears £1bn in green lending, alongside leading the unveiling of its revamped marketplace proposition.
From next month, Nutley will become a senior adviser to the firm, supporting Heshejin and the home improvement lending team. Nutley is the founder of Allium Money – a green lending business acquired by Tandem Bank in 2020 – and has been central to the evolution of Tandem Bank’s home improvement lending proposition.
Nutley added: “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.”
In addition, Tom Ellmers, who has been at Tandem Bank for over four years, will expand his executive role as managing director of deposits and digital experience. The bank said this will create a single leadership structure across its app, brand, corporate communications, deposits, customer experience and digital marketing teams.
Neil Chandler, CEO of Tandem, commented: “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.
“I want to thank Julian for everything he has built in home improvement lending and I’m glad he will continue supporting Darvish and the team as he moves into his new role. I’d also like thank Catherine for the lasting impact she has had on our culture and our people. I am delighted to welcome Simon, Kevin, and Natalie to the business, and to see Darvish and Tom take on these expanded roles.”
