Stephen Jones confirmed as first CEO of UK Finance

Stephen Jones confirmed as first CEO of UK Finance

UK Finance has confirmed that Stephen Jones will be its first chief executive.

Jones (pictured) is currently chairman of Capital Home Loans and a senior adviser to Cerberus Capital Management.

He was Santander's chief financial officer until October 2015 after joining the company in November 2011, while he worked atBarclays between2002 and 2011.

Jones said:“I am excited to be joining UK Finance at this formative time, and believe that the expertise and reach of the constituent organisations will be deepened by coming together.

“We will serve our members by helping them build a more customer-focused and innovative finance and banking sector for the benefit of the UK economy as a whole."

The neworganisation will be based atAngel Court, a new building in the City of London.

UK Finance will be an amalgamation of the Council of Mortgage Lenders, British Bankers’ Association, Asset Based Finance Association, Financial Fraud Action UK, Payments UK and the UK Cards Association.

Bob Wigley, the trade body’s chairman, started work on 1 March with the remit of appointing a chief executive, whileUK Finance is expected to launch inJuly.

Wigley said:“We are delighted to be able to announce Stephen’s appointment.

“He will bring drive and focus to the integration, and has the experience and vision to develop UK Finance into a world class organisation working on behalf of its members and millions of customers, small and large, across the financial services sector.

“I look forward to working together with Stephen and many other colleagues to achieve this.”

Last week the chief executive of the British Bankers’ Association Anthony Browne announced his intention to quit once the merger takes effect.