Ashman Bank expands senior management team ahead of 2023 launch

Aiming to launch as a bank for SMEs in real estate, Ashman Bank has internally promoted Ben Hynes and Mark Holloway to senior roles.

Ashman Bank has appointed a chief information officer (CIO) and chief technology officer (CTO) ahead of its anticipated launch this year.

Ben Hynes and Mark Holloway are stepping up into the senior management roles from within the company while it prepares itself for full regulatory approval from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to lend to SMEs in commercial real estate.

Hynes will take on the role of CIO after more than three years as programme director and head of transformation, heading up the bank’s IT infrastructure, systems and operations.

Holloway will lead the bank’s technology strategy as CTO, bridging its “technical vision with its business goals”, following more than four years as head of technology.

“Ben and Mark have made a huge impact at Ashman already. In their new roles, they will be instrumental in delivering Ashman’s vision of transforming the banking experience for property entrepreneurs,” Ashman Bank COO Simon Healy said.

“Our senior management team has been assembled to ensure we are armed with the knowledge and insight to drive positive change and create a greener future for all, through finance,” Healy added.

Hynes was responsible for leading the bank’s successful application for a banking licence, according to Ashman, which led to it receiving authorisation with restriction last June.

Holloway similarly played a role in achieving the provisional licence as one of the bank’s founding members.

Ashman says it is aiming to launch “as quickly as possible”, subject to regulatory timeline and approval, with “simple, transparent access to lending for conscientious SMEs in commercial real estate”.

“I am thrilled to support Ashman’s mission to simplify banking and provide solutions for conscientious property businesses and entrepreneurs in my role as CTO,” Holloway said.

“I’m confident that through next generation technology, we can build something that makes a genuine difference.”