Vida Bank, a leading financial institution, has recently announced the appointment of Stuart Sinclair as the new Chair, subject to regulatory approval. Stuart will be succeeding Steve Haggerty, who has served as Chair for the past nine years. Steve will continue to be a part of the Board as a Non-Executive Director until September 2025, ensuring a smooth transition.
Stuart brings with him a distinguished track record of leadership in the financial services industry, having held senior roles in banking, insurance, and consulting, both in the UK and internationally. His previous positions include CEO of Tesco Bank, CEO of GE Capital UK’s consumer businesses, and Director of UK Retail Banking at RBS. He currently serves as Chair of International Personal Finance and Willis Ltd and has also held board positions at LV, TSB, Lloyds Banking Group, and Schroders Personal Wealth.
This appointment comes at a transformative time for Vida Bank, as the institution recently secured its banking license. With a growing retail funding base, Vida Bank is actively expanding its specialist mortgage offerings and is poised to increase its market share, furthering its mission to become the UK’s most trusted specialist mortgage bank.
Anth Mooney, CEO at Vida Bank, expressed his excitement about Stuart’s appointment, stating, “Opportunities to recruit someone of Stuart’s caliber and experience are rare. His extensive experience in leading well-recognized financial institutions, combined with his deep understanding of the market, makes him the ideal person to guide Vida Bank as we look to scale the business.”
He also took the opportunity to thank Steve Haggerty for his exceptional leadership over the past nine years, saying, “Steve’s dedication and thoughtful guidance have been instrumental in building Vida’s strong foundation and ultimately securing our approval to operate as a bank.”
Steve Haggerty, the current Chair at Vida Bank, also commented on his time with the institution, saying, “It has been an incredible journey over the past nine years, and incredibly satisfying to serve as the first Chair of Vida Bank. I am immensely proud of what the team has accomplished in recent years and confident that the platform we have built will go on to deliver real growth and success in the future.”
He also expressed his confidence in Stuart, stating, “I am fully confident that Stuart is the perfect person to take Vida on the next phase of its journey, and I look forward to supporting the transition and watching the business thrive in the years ahead.”
Stuart Sinclair, the newly appointed Chair, also shared his excitement about joining Vida Bank, saying, “I’m delighted to join Vida Bank at such a pivotal moment in its journey. The granting of its banking license marks the beginning of an exciting period of growth and opportunity.”
He further added, “With its strong funding base, talented team, and commitment to delivering innovative solutions in the specialist mortgage market, Vida is well-positioned to make a significant impact. At a time when a chronic lack of housing supply continues to drive up prices and strain affordability, Vida’s role is more important than ever. I look forward to working with Anth, the Board, Pine Brook, and new investors to help the business flourish in this next chapter.”
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.