Fiinu Announces Four Senior Hires in Anticipation of Bank of England Licence Authorisation

Fiinu announces the appointment of four additional members to its Senior Leadership Team. Chris Sweeney, Philip Tansey, Huw Evans and Wan Chuen Lau all join the company in anticipation of Bank of England authorisation of its bank licence application.

Fiinu submitted its application to the Bank of England for a licence in December 2021. The firm is currently preparing its unique banking offering to help retail customers build their credit profiles through the provision of a credit limit by a bank lender rather than less mainstream providers. Fiinu’s offering will help improve financial inclusion.

Joining the executive management team as CEO is Chris Sweeney, who provides a wealth of experience in both retail banking and consumer finance, alongside a proven track record of driving businesses through strategic transformational development. With over 20 years’ experience in the industry, Chris joins after a period as CEO of 118 Money, and previously as CEO of Vanquis Bank, where he drove the bank’s key digitalisation agenda.

The company’s new Group CFO, Philip Tansey, joins Fiinu from AIM quoted financial services group, WH Ireland Group Plc, where he acted as CFO and COO. Alongside this expertise, Philip has extensive experience leading global operations in dynamic enterprises, positioning Fiinu well for potential future international expansion. Philip has also previously worked at Panmure Gordon, BGC Partners, Deutsche Bank and Credit Suisse in a career spanning over 20 years.

Huw Evans joins the Board as an Independent Non-Executive Director (iNED) after nearly 40 years’ experience in financial services, including 30 years at Barclays Bank. With expertise in wholesale, small business and consumer credit, as well as enterprise-wide banking risk, Huw brings with him vast knowledge as a seasoned risk professional. Prior to joining Fiinu, Huw was Chief Credit Officer at the Commercial Bank of Qatar where he was responsible, amongst other things, for all aspects of enterprise-wide consumer credit origination, processing, scoring and recovery.

Wan Chuen Lau has joined as Chief Conduct and Culture Officer. Prior to Fiinu, she led the legal, operational and portfolio management functions at Wadhawan Global, a family office with a specific mandate to invest in UK financial services firms, start-ups and technology enablers. Previously she worked at PwC, where she assisted the senior partner to grow a new banking licencing business unit and became the leader in assisting technology-led start-ups to gain authorisation in the UK. She has also led teams at the FSA/FCA focusing on M&A and new authorisations involving niche business models, including fintechs.

(Source: Finextra)