• Simon Bladon, Chief Executive Officer, PayPal UK, joined the UK Finance Board effective 2 May.
• Ian McLaughlin, Chief Executive Officer, Vanquis Banking Group, will join the UK Finance Board effective 1 July.

Simon Bladon is PayPal UK Chief Executive Officer, and Vice President of Global Entity Management. Simon was formerly a Managing Director at Barclays with over 20 years’ experience in strategy, legal, transformation and operations leadership roles across corporate, consumer banking and payments. He has also worked as a financial markets solicitor in London, Sao Paolo and Madrid. 

Ian McLaughlin is Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Vanquis Banking Group and was previously CEO of Bank of Ireland UK. Throughout his extensive financial services career in consumer finance, motor finance, savings, SME finance and mortgages, Ian has delivered a strong track record of growth through improving customer service and enhancing distribution. Prior to Bank of Ireland UK, he was Managing Director for Home Buying and Ownership at NatWest, and before that he was Wealth Management Director at Lloyds Banking Group.

Commenting on the changes to the UK Finance Board, Bob Wigley, Chair of UK Finance, said:

The financial services industry is vital to the UK economy. During a big year for the sector, I am pleased to welcome Simon and Ian’s great expertise to the UK Finance Board.

As the trade association for the financial services industry, we champion a thriving sector which acts in the best interests of consumers, businesses and wider society. The Board looks forward to working with Simon and Ian to continue promoting a strong and representative financial services sector.

Simon Bladon, Chief Executive Officer, PayPal UK, said:

I am delighted to join the UK Finance Board, where I can contribute my expertise alongside PayPal’s perspective and experience as one of the original fintech companies. PayPal pioneered online and mobile commerce, helping millions of UK consumers and businesses thrive in the digital economy since the turn of the millennium. Our collaboration with financial services companies in the UK holds immense significance for us, and we are eager to further strengthen this alliance through our engagement with UK Finance.

Ian McLaughlin, Chief Executive Officer, Vanquis Banking Group said: 

I am really looking forward to working with the UK Finance Board to ensure we keep putting customers at the heart of the UK financial services sector. At Vanquis we play a unique role in the UK banking system as a specialist bank by supporting financial inclusion to over 1.7 million customers. There is growing customer demand for the services and solutions Vanquis offers, as the country readjusts to the recent cost of living crisis, and I look forward to championing those customers’ needs at UK Finance.