B-North adds new head of operational risk & compliance as momentum builds
B-North, the Manchester-based firm building a regional SME lending bank for the UK, has appointed Jackie Ewer as Head of Operational Risk & Compliance.
Jackie joins with more than 30 years’ financial services experience, with the last 15 years focused on operational risk, compliance risk and financial crime risk. Jackie is well versed in the design and implementation of risk management frameworks. 
Jackie has worked for major national and international banks, gaining experience across the risk spectrum. Jackie was previously head of conduct, operational and regulatory risk at Al Ryan Bank. Before this, she was part of the senior management team at Williams and Glyn, as director of operational risk. Jackie also spent 4 years as head of operational, conduct and reputational risk (MBNA) for Bank of America.
Jackie began her career at Citigroup, spending a decade working across risk and audit. Her roles including head of audit (EMEA), as well as a vice president overseeing major areas of risk for the bank.
At B-North, Jackie will help shape policies and systems to manage operational risk, conduct risk, compliance risk and financial crime risk, playing a vital role in delivering the bank. B-North recently announced investment from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and Channel 4 Ventures as part of its over-subscribed £2.7m bridge funding round. B-North has raised more than £9m since launching and is closing in on its £20m ‘Series A’ fundraise which will enable B-North to secure its banking licence.
Jackie said: “I am so pleased to join B-North at such a vital point in the business’ journey. It is a great privilege to work as part of such a highly experienced and dedicated team helping to deliver the UK’s first truly regional lending bank in the last 150 years. I’m looking forward to working with the team to further strengthen our risk and compliance functions, helping to build the best bank we can for all stakeholders, and play our part in getting the UK economy moving.”
Nancy Butler, founder and commercial director of B-North added: “It is great to welcome Jackie to B-North at such an exciting time for the business. Jackie is another excellent addition to the team and brings with her experience at some of the biggest names in banking. We always look to hire top talent when building our teams so to add such an impressive skill set is another win for B-North. I look forward to working with Jackie as we continue to strengthen our risk and compliance functions. I am also delighted to welcome another senior woman to the business – diversity has always been a focus for us, as to best serve our customers we think it is important that we reflect them.”
B-North is making good progress in its mission to shake up the UK’s £150bn business lending market by establishing a UK-wide network of ‘lending Pods’, delivering loans up to 10x faster than the industry average. The first of B-North’s pods are expected to open in Manchester later in 2021.