The Bank of London, a rapidly growing financial institution, today announced a significant leadership transition.
Anthony Watson CBE, the founder and current CEO, will step down to assume the roles of Founder & Senior Adviser and Non-Executive Director of The Bank of London Group. Stephen Bell, presently the Chief Risk and Compliance Officer (CRCO), has been promoted to CEO, pending regulatory approval.
Since its public unveiling in 2021, The Bank of London has established a substantial footprint in the UK financial sector, serving over 4,500 businesses and clients with cutting-edge banking solutions. The bank’s strategic expansion both domestically and internationally underscores its robust position in the market.
Anthony Watson, stepping down as CEO, will continue to influence the bank’s trajectory through his new advisory role while remaining a key shareholder. Stephen Bell, who joined The Bank of London in 2021, will take over as CEO. His previous role as CRCO has prepared him to lead the organisation towards future successes.
Anthony Watson has been pivotal in founding and scaling The Bank of London over the past eight years, bringing it to the forefront of innovation in banking. Stephen Bell brings a wealth of experience in risk and compliance, crucial for guiding the bank in an era of complex regulatory needs.
The leadership change occurs as the bank aims to strengthen its foundation and pursue further growth, maintaining a commitment to safety and innovation in banking.
Reflecting on his decision, Anthony Watson CBE said, “Deciding to step back from the role of CEO has been one of the most challenging decisions of my career, but I know it’s the right time after eight years leading the company. Founding The Bank of London and seeing it grow into what it is today has been the greatest privilege of my life. This bank is more than just a business to me — it’s a part of who I am. But just as a founder must build, they must also know the right time to pass the torch. Stephen joined the firm in 2021 and his leadership, and commitment have been critical to our success. I have full confidence that he is the right person to lead the bank into its next chapter, and I look forward to supporting him and the bank in my new role.”
David Skillen, Chair of the UK Bank, added, “On behalf of the Board, I want to extend our deepest gratitude to Anthony for his pioneering leadership. He has not only created a different kind of bank but has also laid the foundation for its continued success. We are equally excited to welcome Stephen as our new CEO. His extensive experience and deep understanding of the industry have already been pivotal to our achievements. We look forward to seeing him lead the bank as we continue to build on our strong foundation in the UK.”
Stephen Bell, commenting on his appointment, stated, “I am deeply grateful to the Board for their confidence in my leadership and to Anthony for his unwavering vision in creating The Bank of London. It has been a privilege to be part of the bank’s journey, and I am excited to lead our team as CEO, continuing to build on the solid foundation we have established. Our commitment to our ‘safer by design’ operating model remains at the forefront as we move forward.”
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