Metro Bank Holdings PLC announces that James Hopkinson, Chief Financial Officer, has agreed with the Board that he will step down as Executive Director with immediate effect.

He will leave the business during the first quarter of 2024 after a period of handover.

James Hopkinson started his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers where he specialised in tax accounting and consultancy and qualified as a Chartered Accountant with the ICAEW. He worked for Standard Chartered Bank from 2001 to 2019 in a variety of roles ranging from heading up corporate and institutional businesses, to Group Head of Investor Relations and most recently performing the role as Chief Financial Officer for the Group’s countries, regions and business segments, he was also the CFO for the Global Retail Banking business and the co-leader of the global finance function.

In 2019, James Hopkinson joined ClearBank as CFO and Executive Director.

The Board has appointed Cristina Alba Ochoa to act as interim Chief Financial Officer effective 15 January 2024, subject to any necessary regulatory approvals. A search process to appoint a permanent successor has commenced and an announcement will be made in due course.

The Board will comprise seven members until a permanent Chief Financial Officer is appointed.