Chairman succession

Vanquis Banking Group plc (‘the Group’) today announces that Patrick Snowball, the Chairman of Vanquis Banking Group since 2018, has informed the Board of his intention to step down from the Board in 2023.

Andrea Blance, Senior Independent Director, will lead the search for a new Chair, conducted by the Nominations Committee with the support of an executive search firm. Patrick Snowball will remain as Chairman until his successor has been appointed and to support the transition to the Group’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ian McLaughlin, who starts in July.

As Chairman, Patrick has been instrumental in leading the Board through a period of significant change for the Group since 2018, which has resulted in the transformation of the Group from a consumer finance company to a specialist banking group; a strengthening of the Board, including the appointment of a new CEO; and the implementation of a new culture which puts customers at the heart of everything.

With both the transformation of the Group to a specialist banking group complete and the appointment of Ian announced, Patrick has signalled that it is the right time to put in place his own succession plans.

Patrick Snowball, Chairman, commented:

 “Vanquis Banking Group is strategically and financially stronger than it was when I became Chairman in 2018. With a successful strategy in place, the transformation to a specialist banking group complete, and a new CEO appointed, I am very confident in the Group’s future and feel now is the right time to hand over the Chair’s baton, with this year’s AGM being my last. I am very proud of everything we have achieved at the Group, and I would like to thank the Board, the management team, and colleagues who have supported me and worked very hard to deliver for our customers, their communities, and our shareholders.”

Andrea Blance, Senior Independent Director, commented:

 “On behalf of Vanquis Banking Group, and the Board, I would like to thank Patrick for his leadership, guidance, and wisdom. As Chairman Patrick has ensured the Group took the right approach to get us where we are today – a strong, growing, specialist banking group, with a culture focused on the customer, which helps people who are not well served by traditional lenders to borrow responsibly.”

Notes to Editors:

1.       Patrick Snowball’s Biography - Patrick was CEO of Suncorp Group Limited, an ASX 20 Australian financial services group, between 2009 and 2015 where he successfully led the turnaround of the group following the global financial crisis. Before joining the Group Board, Patrick was Chairman of IntegraFin Holdings plc between 2017 and 2018 and was Chairman of Sabre Insurance Group plc until September 2020. Prior to this Patrick was a Non-Executive Director at Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group plc from 2008 to 2009, Deputy Chairman at Towergate Partnership between 2007 and 2009 and a member of the FSA Practitioner Panel from 2006 to 2008.