Vanquis announces changes to its board of directors

Karen Briggs, Oliver Laird and Jackie Nokes have joined the banking group's board as non-executive directors from today.

Bradford-based Vanquis Banking Group plc has announced the appointment of three new independent directors, Karen Briggs, Oliver Laird and Jackie Noakes, with effect from 27 March 2024.

Karen Briggs is a qualified accountant with over 30 years of financial services and banking experience, with a focus on governance, risk and compliance as an executive committee member and senior leader for KPMG UK and FTI Consulting EMEA.

She is a non-executive director on the Invictus Games Foundation Board of Directors. She is Chair and Independent Trustee of Imperial College London's Audit and Risk Committee. She is a strategic advisor to Evershed Sutherland International. She has been appointed NED and Chair of Chubb Underwriting Agency Ltd.'s Audit and Risk Committee.

Oliver Laird is an experienced CFO and non-executive director. He has extensive financial and regulatory experience in financial services, banking and manufacturing, having previously served as CFO of Lookers plc and CFO of First Direct Bank. He previously held senior positions at Lloyds Banking Group and Co-Op Insurance Services.

Mr Laird has held non-executive directorships at the British Council, Leeds University Union, social housing providers and Beverley Building Society, and is currently Chair of the Audit and Compliance Committee.

Jackie Noakes is a senior executive with extensive experience in large-scale financial services and banking businesses, currently serving as Chief Operating Officer of the Phoenix Group and previously serving as Group COO of Bank of Ireland. She has also held senior roles at Legal & General and served as a non-executive director at One Family (The Family Assurance Friendly Society Ltd) and Bank of Ireland UK.

Sir Peter Estrin, Chairman of Vanquis Banking Group, commented: Their extensive expertise complements the skillset of the Board and will support the Group through its business and cultural transformation while delivering responsible lending to its customers. ”