The Bank of London has appointed Christopher Horne, the former UK head of Credit Suisse, as its new CEO.
This move follows a challenging period for the bank, including the abrupt departure of its founder last year, as reported by City AM.
Horne will take over as CEO pending approval from the City regulator. He previously led Credit Suisse’s UK subsidiaries, which faced struggles under his leadership.
Horne said, “This is a unique opportunity to redefine what a bank can be — resilient, innovative, and aligned with the evolving needs of our clients and stakeholders.”
He added, “Together with the talented team at [Bank of London], I look forward to building a future that inspires trust and delivers lasting value.”
The Bank of London stated that Horne’s appointment “highlights the bank’s commitment to innovation, governance, and long-term growth.” The bank added that Horne would lead the company “into its next phase of growth and transformation.”
This recruitment follows a series of actions taken after the exit of founder Anthony Watson, which caused turmoil at the bank.
After Watson’s departure, City AM revealed that the company had been served with a winding-up petition from HMRC over an unpaid tax bill. The bank later settled the debt.
Investor Mangrove Capital then led a £42m capital injection into the bank. Mangrove has also driven a turnaround, appointing several new board members.
High-profile figures such as Peter Mandelson and Harvey Schwarz exited the board in October.
Catherine Brown, chair of the UK Board, said Horne’s appointment “reflects our commitment to building a leadership team that embodies excellence and vision.”
She added, “His wealth of experience will be instrumental in driving operational excellence and positioning the bank as a leader in the financial services sector.”
The Bank of London is the second clearing bank in the UK to receive regulatory approval in 250 years, valued at over £1bn in funding rounds.