LONDON: Metro Bank announced the appointment of Robert Sharpe as Chairman. It is anticipated that Robert will commence the role from 1 November 2020, subject to regulatory approval.

He will succeed Sir Michael Snyder, who was appointed Interim Chairman in October last year while a thorough search and selection process for a permanent successor was undertaken. Sir Michael Snyder will continue as Interim Chairman until Robert joins the Bank.

Robert has a wealth of Board and Executive-level experience in the retail banking sector. During his Executive career, he led the transformation of West Bromwich Building Society as Chief Executive Officer, having formerly been Chief Executive at the Portman Building Society and Chief Executive of Bank of Ireland’s consumer business in the UK.

Robert currently acts as Chairman at Bank of Ireland UK, Hampshire Trust Bank and Honeycomb Investment Trust plc. He will be stepping down from his position at Bank of Ireland UK in due course. He has previously held a number of board positions in the UK and the Middle East at companies including Vaultex Limited (a JV between HSBC and Barclays), Aldermore Bank plc, Barclays Pension Trustees Limited, LSL Properties plc, George Wimpey plc and Al Rayan Bank plc.

Robert Sharpe says: “I’m delighted to have been appointed as Metro Bank’s Chairman and look forward to leading the Board and supporting Dan Frumkin and the executive team as they continue to deliver on the reinvigorated strategy. As we navigate the new economic environment caused by COVID-19, community banking has never been more important as people, businesses and communities adapt to this new normal. It is this community banking model that sets Metro Bank apart and will enable us to continue to grow.”

Sir Michael Snyder says: “It has been an honour to serve as Chairman while we undertook a thorough search and selection process for a permanent Chairman. I look forward to working with Robert as Metro Bank continues to set itself apart from the competition by delivering exceptional service for our customers, even in these most challenging of times.”