British Business Bank names new CEO

The British Business Bank has unveiled its new CEO.

Louis Taylor – the current CEO of UK Export Finance – will take up the role on 1 October.

Taylor joined UK Export Finance from Standard Chartered Bank and has previously worked for JP Morgan, Cookson Group and Invensys.

Interim CEO Catherine Lewis La Torre will continue in the post into the Autumn to ensure an orderly transition.

Lord Smith of Kelvin, chair of The British Business Bank, said: “Louis is a highly respected, strategic leader, with more than 30 years’ banking and corporate finance experience and a strong track record of success. He has successfully led UK Export Finance for more than six years and has made a considerable contribution to the agency since he joined in 2015.

“I am delighted that he has agreed to take on the role of CEO and look forward to working with him as we support the UK’s economic recovery through the Bank’s debt and equity programmes, launch the Next Generation of Regional Funds, and also continue to address fraud and financial crime in relation to the Covid-19 loan schemes.”

Taylor said: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead the British Business Bank, with its well-established support for smaller businesses to start, grow and develop, as well as its important role as the UK’s economic development bank. Continuing to deliver on the government’s agenda for levelling up and driving towards net zero is an exciting prospect that I look forward to addressing with the Bank’s talented team.”