Atom Appoints Chief Technology Officer

Atom bank, the UK’s first truly digital bank which is set to launch early next year, has appointed Paul Hanks as its Chief Technology Officer. Paul will join the existing Atom management team consisting of Anthony Thomson (Chairman), Mark Mullen (CEO), Edward Twiddy (COO), David McCarthy (CFO), Craig Iley (MD Business Banking), Stewart Bromley (HR Director) and Sophie Haagensen (Innovation).

Paul has delivered and supported major IT changes at several large European banks and has a vast amount of experience in core banking and multi-channel design. He has held a number of senior positions, including CTO and in more recent years, he has worked for Steria providing consultancy to leading UK banks to transform their IT and business architectures.

He brings with him considerable expertise in digital banking and Software as a Service designs to help create a smarter and more cost effective banking environment for Atom bank customers.

Anthony Thomson, Chairman of Atom said: “I am delighted to announce the appointment of someone of Paul’s calibre to our team. His experience helps us fulfil our commitment to being the first real alternative to the traditional High Street Banks and will ensure we are well positioned to forge ahead creating better and more innovative banking products and services for our customers. Technology is at the heart of our banking proposition and Paul’s involvement marks an exciting next step for Atom”.

Editors notes: Atom isn’t yet a bank, but we’d like to be. So we’re applying to the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to become one.

Founded a year ago and based in the City of Durham, we have a growing team of people drawn from across the country working with local and national partners in the UK to help bring pioneering technology to Europe for the first time. We are building the UK’s first bank designed specifically for mobile digital technologies offering all day, every day banking and a very efficient cost model.

We have a highly experienced executive team, led by CEO Mark Mullen who has 25 years’ experience in commercial and retail banking and was previously CEO at the multi-award winning telephone and internet bank, first direct. He is supported by Dave McCarthy, Edward Twiddy, Stewart Bromley, Lisa Wood, Craig Iley, Rachel McLauchlen, Brian Seal, Andy Givens, Paul Hanks and Richard Baker – a senior team drawn from across the financial services and related industries.

We have a strong non-exec board; our Chairman Anthony Thomson was founder and former Chairman at Metro Bank. He is also Chairman of the Financial Services Forum, the UK’s leading membership organisation for senior FS industry executives and Chairman of the National Skills Academy for Financial Services, a national charity. Anthony is joined by non-executive directors Bridget Rosewell OBE, Patricia Jackson, John Deane and Jon Hogan.