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20 January 2026
11:55pm on 19 February 2026
9 March 2026
2 April 2026
The Bank, established in 2014, is undergoing a significant transformation. We have embraced the challenge laid down for us by government of stepping up to drive greater investment into the high growth economy in particular, and to broadly support access to finance for SMEs across the country in general. To that end the ‘firepower’ of the Bank has been increased by two thirds to over £25bn and we have concentrated on how we will deliver our larger mandate. In the last 12 months we have simplified the structure and approach of the Bank. From historically a more programme driven organisation, we are now investment driven on a holistic basis to help deliver the Government’s industrial policy. That builds on the extensive relationships we have with a wide range of third parties, who we call Delivery Partners. The Bank works proactively with these partners, leveraging their reach and expertise nationwide, to be able to do more.
That is enabled by:
We believe that the British Business Bank has real momentum. We want to build on that as our attention moves from strategy to execution on a larger scale. To help us deliver this vison and the impact that we all desire, the Bank is now looking to add three outstanding Non-Executive Directors who will work with us to fully maximise the opportunities in key sectors of the economy. This is a combination of an ambassadorial role, together with the ability to help us better understand key drivers of the future economy and how best to support that. With growing expertise in strategic sectors - and complementing the resources within the Bank and across our two subsidiary boards - we are excited to build a stronger and even more impactful institution at a time when that is really needed
We have often heard that the UK lacks the scale up capital to back our best founders. The British Business Bank is committed to change that perspective so as a country we really are the best place to start, build and scale a business.
Stephen Welton, CBE
Chair, British Business Bank plc
These individuals will bring senior leadership experience, gained either as an executive or investor, in one of the eight “growth-driving” sectors defined in the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, namely advanced manufacturing; clean energy industries; creative industries; defence; digital & technology; financial services; life sciences; or professional and business services. They will contribute to the BBB’s Board a strong understanding of emerging themes, market dynamics, financing needs, challenges, and growth pathways of businesses operating in that sector, including scale-ups and high-growth firms, and offer strategic advice on how BBB can best deploy its increased financial capacity to support businesses in priority sectors.
These Non-Executive Directors will contribute to the board:
· An understanding of growth-stage financing: fundraising, dealing with institutional and private investors, and structuring growth capital.
· Familiarity with the financing needs and constraints of SMEs and scale-ups, including the challenges of scaling, regional expansion, R&D or capital-intensive operations.
· A clear view on regional economic dynamics and supply chains, especially in sectors like manufacturing, clean energy, defence. This will ideally include experience outside London or in the UK regions, reflecting BBB’s commitment to regional investment.
· The ability to think in terms of business strategy, public-policy goals and capital markets in combination; an understanding of how private capital can be mobilised to serve public-interest objectives including job creation, regional balance, national security, and long-term industrial capacity.
· Willingness to engage with public-sector stakeholders, government priorities (e.g. industrial strategy), and diverse financial instruments (guarantees, equity, debt, co-investments), and to advise on balancing risk, return, and strategic value.
· Experience of governance and oversight roles; of help ensure rigour in decision-making and stewardship of investments in partnership with investors, boards, and wider stakeholders.
· A long-term perspective, open to supporting early or growth-stage firms that may need patient capital and strategic support over time.
Candidates are likely to be senior executives (former CEO, CFO, COO, or equivalent) from or investors in one of BBB’s priority sectors (advanced manufacturing; clean energy; the creative industries; defence; digital & technology; financial services; life sciences; and professional/business services), ideally with experience of growth organisations.
As well as increasing the supply and diversity of finance for UK smaller businesses through its programmes, the Bank works to raise awareness of their broader finance options. The British Business Bank Finance Hub provides independent and impartial information to businesses about finance options, featuring short films, expert guides, checklists and articles from finance providers to help make their application a success.
Executive Directors
· Louis Taylor, CEO of the British Business Bank and Chair of BBB Investment Services Limited
· David Hourican, Chief Financial Officer
Non-Executive Directors
· Stephen Welton, Chair of Board
· Eilish Jamieson, Senior Independent Director
· Julia Bond OBE, Non-Executive Director and Chair of Board Remuneration Committee
· Matthew Elderfield, Non-Executive Director and Chair of Board Risk Committee
· Jenny Knott, Non-Executive Director and Chair of Board Audit Committee
· Nat Sloane, Non-Executive Director and Workforce Champion
· Holger Vieten, Shareholder Representative
· Suveer Kothari, EPOC Board Fellow (Observer)
• Knowledge: a clear understanding of the work, priorities and challenges of any one of the following:
- UK venture capital, growth capital and scale up funds;
- Senior investment management experience from a major asset manager;
- UK challenger banks;
- High growth businesses and innovative sectors;
- Angel/Start-up investments; or
- the UK pension fund industry.
• Experience: a strong track record of delivery and strategic leadership in complex organisations relevant to BBB’s work.
• Relationship building ability to build strong stakeholder relationships, including with Ministers and Senior Government officials and external stakeholders.
• Communication: strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to listen, accept challenge and constructively challenge others in discussions with clarity and respect.
• Judgement: effective decision-making skills with the ability to critically analyse a wide range of information to make clear and objective evidence-based recommendations to support the delivery of the organisation's objectives.
• Collaboration: ability to work closely with the executive board and other key stakeholders, providing support, constructive challenge and assurance as appropriate.
• Prior experience as a board member.
• Prior experience in one or more of the key sectors of the government’s modern industrial strategy, in particular AI and Technology, Defence, Financial and Professional Services and Creative Industries.
• Expertise in risk management, with a solid understanding of risk identification, assessment, and mitigation strategies.
• Experience in taking a private company through an Initial Public Offering.
Some public appointments are made by the Prime Minister, or the Crown on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. Others are made by Secretaries of State or other ministers and are of interest to the Prime Minister.
Public appointments made by or of interest to the Prime Minister
Russell Reynolds Associates (RRA) has been appointed to support this recruitment. Please submit your full application by email to responses@russellreynolds.com. The closing date for applications is 19th February 2026 at 23.55.
All applications must include the following:
1. Please quote the role title and reference number P2512-009L in the subject heading of the email.
2. A Curriculum Vitae setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements tailored to the person specification. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps.
3. A Supporting Statement (2 pages A4 maximum) explaining your motivation for applying for this role. Provide evidence and outline how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience are suitable with particular reference to the criteria in the person specification.
4. Diversity Information Form and Declaration of Interests: This will assist the Cabinet Office in monitoring selection decisions to assess whether equality of opportunity is being achieved. Any Diversity monitoring information collected will not be seen by anyone assessing your application. Please find the form available here If you require this form in an alternative format e.g. hard copy please request this from Russell Reynolds.
If you require an adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process, or would like to speak to someone in advance of submitting an application, please email the team at responses@russellreynolds.com.
You will receive an acknowledgment of your application. The panel will then assess your application to select those demonstrating the best fit with the role by considering the evidence you have provided against the criteria set out in the ‘Candidate Profile section.
Failure to address any or all of these may affect your application. The timeline below indicates the dates by which each stage and the final decisions are expected to be made. All shortlisted candidates will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible thereafter.
Shortlisted candidates will then progress to the final interview with the panel. Full details of this assessment process will be made available to shortlisted candidates.
The panel will make a recommendation to the Minsters who will make final decision to appoint as this is a Ministerial appointment. Please note that successful candidates will be required to register on the Cabinet Office’s Public Appointments system to record their appointment to the role.
The Assessment Panel will include:
In general, you should have the right to work in the UK to be eligible to apply for a public appointment.
There are a small number of specialist roles that are not open to non-British citizens. Any nationality requirements will be specified in the vacancy details.
The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards.
You cannot be considered for a public appointment if:
When you apply, you should declare if:
You must inform the sponsor department if, during the application process, your circumstances change in respect of any of the above points.
When you apply you should also declare any relevant interests, highlighting any that you think may call into question your ability to properly discharge the responsibilities of the role you are applying for. You should also declare any other matters which may mean you may not be able to meet the requirements of the Code of Conduct of Board Members (see Outside interests and reputational issues section below)The Bank recruits candidates from a diversity of backgrounds who can bring a wealth of knowledge, experience and ideas from the public and private sectors, and who share a passion for our mission and purpose. The Bank encourages applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds. The data collected in the Diversity Information Form is used to produce management information about the diversity of applicants and will not be seen by anyone assessing your application.
The Department for Business and Trade is an accredited user of the Disability Confident symbol, which signifies organisations which have a positive attitude towards disabled applicants. All Disability Confident Employers will offer interviews to disabled candidates who meet the minimum requirements for a job or role. If you wish to apply for consideration under this scheme, please complete the declaration in the Diversity Information Form provided. It is not necessary to state the nature of your disability. Whether you choose to apply under the Disability Confident scheme or not, you can still ask us to make particular adjustments for you.
Complaints Procedure
If you feel you have reason to complain you should direct your concerns in the first instance to the search team at Russell Reynolds Associates (responses@russellreynolds.com) who will make every effort to deal with these and respond to you as soon as possible.