Afin Bank has appointed Nicola Tunney as their new Chief People and Operating Officer, marking a significant step in their operational development.
- Tunney’s extensive experience spans several senior roles in major banking institutions, ensuring she brings a wealth of knowledge to Afin Bank.
- The bank, backed by African reinsurer WAICA Re, is poised to make a substantial impact with their upcoming launch in 2025.
- Targeting niche markets, Afin Bank aims to serve under-represented clients including self-employed individuals and foreign nationals.
- CEO Jason Oakley expressed enthusiasm about Tunney’s appointment, highlighting her contribution to the bank’s supportive culture.
Afin Bank has made a strategic move by appointing Nicola Tunney as their Chief People and Operating Officer. Tunney, whose background includes significant roles at TSB, Lloyds Banking Group, and Cheltenham and Gloucester, brings extensive operational expertise to the table. Previously, she was influential in the startup phases of Allica Bank and served as COO of the digital Sharia bank Nomo. Her appointment is a key element in Afin Bank’s strategy to strengthen its operational framework while enhancing customer service and building its human resources function.
Nicola Tunney is expected to use her considerable expertise to help Afin Bank deliver on its promise to support clients who have faced challenges in accessing mortgage services. The focus is on creating customer interactions that are not only efficient but also meaningful. As Tunney noted, the bank aims to assist people in overcoming barriers that have historically restricted their access to mortgage opportunities. This approach underscores Tunney’s commitment to leveraging her knowledge to forge new pathways in customer service initiatives.
Supported by a substantial financial backing of £60 million from the African reinsurer WAICA Re, Afin Bank received its banking license with authorisation restrictions in October, preparing for a comprehensive launch in 2025. The bank plans to offer a range of services including residential and buy-to-let mortgages as well as savings products protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). Their target market includes self-employed individuals, high-net-worth clients, and foreign nationals, particularly those from African countries seeking mortgages in the UK.
CEO Jason Oakley has expressed great confidence in Nicola Tunney’s ability to foster a supportive environment at Afin Bank. Emphasising her wealth of experience, Oakley believes Tunney embodies the culture Afin Bank is striving to cultivate—one of support and progressiveness for both customers and employees. Her role is pivotal as the bank prepares to introduce its services, create partnerships, and connect with diaspora community groups to reach clients from nations like Ghana, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia.
Nicola Tunney’s appointment is a strategic step towards Afin Bank’s goal of becoming a major digital banking entity in the UK mortgage sector.
