Get to know our Board members
Image
Sheryl Lawrence
Chair of The Board
Sheryl was appointed to the Board in January 2019 as Independent Non-Executive Director, Chair of the Remuneration and People Committee and Chair of the Board Audit Committee. She assumed the role Chair of the board in July 2024.
Sheryl started her portfolio career as the prospective Chair of the Board Audit Committee of RCI Bank UK in 2018 after holding senior executive roles in internal audit, risk management and compliance at NatWest, Barclays, Lloyds Bank, Santander, Coventry Building Society, Nationwide Building Society and Provident Financial Group. Her portfolio now includes DF Capital Bank as Chair of the Board Risk Committee, Vocalink Limited as Chair of the Board Audit Committee, and St Andrew’s Healthcare as Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee.
Sheryl also sits on the Board and its Risk and Audit Committees at Habib Bank Zurich plc. Sheryl qualified as a chartered accountant in 1988 and holds a masters in business administration (MBA) from London Business School and a masters in law (LLM) from the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies.
Sheryl started her portfolio career as the prospective Chair of the Board Audit Committee of RCI Bank UK in 2018 after holding senior executive roles in internal audit, risk management and compliance at NatWest, Barclays, Lloyds Bank, Santander, Coventry Building Society, Nationwide Building Society and Provident Financial Group. Her portfolio now includes DF Capital Bank as Chair of the Board Risk Committee, Vocalink Limited as Chair of the Board Audit Committee, and St Andrew’s Healthcare as Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee.
Sheryl also sits on the Board and its Risk and Audit Committees at Habib Bank Zurich plc. Sheryl qualified as a chartered accountant in 1988 and holds a masters in business administration (MBA) from London Business School and a masters in law (LLM) from the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies.
Sheryl was appointed to the Board in January 2019 as Independent Non-Executive Director, Chair of the Remuneration and People Committee and Chair of the Board Audit Committee. She assumed the role Chair of the board in July 2024.
Sheryl started her portfolio career as the prospective Chair of the Board Audit Committee of RCI Bank UK in 2018 after holding senior executive roles in internal audit, risk management and compliance at NatWest, Barclays, Lloyds Bank, Santander, Coventry Building Society, Nationwide Building Society and Provident Financial Group. Her portfolio now includes DF Capital Bank as Chair of the Board Risk Committee, Vocalink Limited as Chair of the Board Audit Committee, and St Andrew’s Healthcare as Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee.
Sheryl also sits on the Board and its Risk and Audit Committees at Habib Bank Zurich plc. Sheryl qualified as a chartered accountant in 1988 and holds a masters in business administration (MBA) from London Business School and a masters in law (LLM) from the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies.
Sheryl started her portfolio career as the prospective Chair of the Board Audit Committee of RCI Bank UK in 2018 after holding senior executive roles in internal audit, risk management and compliance at NatWest, Barclays, Lloyds Bank, Santander, Coventry Building Society, Nationwide Building Society and Provident Financial Group. Her portfolio now includes DF Capital Bank as Chair of the Board Risk Committee, Vocalink Limited as Chair of the Board Audit Committee, and St Andrew’s Healthcare as Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee.
Sheryl also sits on the Board and its Risk and Audit Committees at Habib Bank Zurich plc. Sheryl qualified as a chartered accountant in 1988 and holds a masters in business administration (MBA) from London Business School and a masters in law (LLM) from the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies.
Image
Bill Gray
Independent Non-Executive Director
Bill was appointed to the Board as Independent Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Board Risk Committee in April 2021.
Bill has over 30 years of experience in lending which encompasses a diverse range of business sectors, operational approaches and regulatory & governance models. He has undertaken a number of senior roles during his executive career, culminating in his appointment as Chief Credit Officer at Santander UK. He has also held executive positions at Lloyds Bank, Otto Versand UK and was Head of Banking Consultancy at Experian.
Bill is currently Non-Executive Chairman for Market Mortgage Ltd and a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Board Risk Committee at Wesleyan Bank
Bill has over 30 years of experience in lending which encompasses a diverse range of business sectors, operational approaches and regulatory & governance models. He has undertaken a number of senior roles during his executive career, culminating in his appointment as Chief Credit Officer at Santander UK. He has also held executive positions at Lloyds Bank, Otto Versand UK and was Head of Banking Consultancy at Experian.
Bill is currently Non-Executive Chairman for Market Mortgage Ltd and a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Board Risk Committee at Wesleyan Bank
Bill was appointed to the Board as Independent Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Board Risk Committee in April 2021.
Bill has over 30 years of experience in lending which encompasses a diverse range of business sectors, operational approaches and regulatory & governance models. He has undertaken a number of senior roles during his executive career, culminating in his appointment as Chief Credit Officer at Santander UK. He has also held executive positions at Lloyds Bank, Otto Versand UK and was Head of Banking Consultancy at Experian.
Bill is currently Non-Executive Chairman for Market Mortgage Ltd and a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Board Risk Committee at Wesleyan Bank
Bill has over 30 years of experience in lending which encompasses a diverse range of business sectors, operational approaches and regulatory & governance models. He has undertaken a number of senior roles during his executive career, culminating in his appointment as Chief Credit Officer at Santander UK. He has also held executive positions at Lloyds Bank, Otto Versand UK and was Head of Banking Consultancy at Experian.
Bill is currently Non-Executive Chairman for Market Mortgage Ltd and a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Board Risk Committee at Wesleyan Bank
Image
Vincent Gelle
Non-Executive Director
Vincent was appointed to the Board in October 2024 as Non-Executive Director.
He began his career in the UK in 2001 with Renault Financial Services, before joining RCI Banque's head office in 2005 as Financial Controller. From 2008, he held the positions of Administrative and Financial Director in South Korea, then Group Performance Control Director. In 2016, he continued his career in Japan with Nissan's Finance Department, then in Russia as Sales & Marketing Director of RN Bank.
He then joined Mobilize Financial Services headquarters in France, where he has held the role of VP, Accounting and Group Performance Control since August 2023. He is a member of the RCI Banque Executive Committee.
He has recently been appointed as Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Mobilize Financial Services at the Group level.
He began his career in the UK in 2001 with Renault Financial Services, before joining RCI Banque's head office in 2005 as Financial Controller. From 2008, he held the positions of Administrative and Financial Director in South Korea, then Group Performance Control Director. In 2016, he continued his career in Japan with Nissan's Finance Department, then in Russia as Sales & Marketing Director of RN Bank.
He then joined Mobilize Financial Services headquarters in France, where he has held the role of VP, Accounting and Group Performance Control since August 2023. He is a member of the RCI Banque Executive Committee.
He has recently been appointed as Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Mobilize Financial Services at the Group level.
Vincent was appointed to the Board in October 2024 as Non-Executive Director.
He began his career in the UK in 2001 with Renault Financial Services, before joining RCI Banque's head office in 2005 as Financial Controller. From 2008, he held the positions of Administrative and Financial Director in South Korea, then Group Performance Control Director. In 2016, he continued his career in Japan with Nissan's Finance Department, then in Russia as Sales & Marketing Director of RN Bank.
He then joined Mobilize Financial Services headquarters in France, where he has held the role of VP, Accounting and Group Performance Control since August 2023. He is a member of the RCI Banque Executive Committee.
He has recently been appointed as Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Mobilize Financial Services at the Group level.
He began his career in the UK in 2001 with Renault Financial Services, before joining RCI Banque's head office in 2005 as Financial Controller. From 2008, he held the positions of Administrative and Financial Director in South Korea, then Group Performance Control Director. In 2016, he continued his career in Japan with Nissan's Finance Department, then in Russia as Sales & Marketing Director of RN Bank.
He then joined Mobilize Financial Services headquarters in France, where he has held the role of VP, Accounting and Group Performance Control since August 2023. He is a member of the RCI Banque Executive Committee.
He has recently been appointed as Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Mobilize Financial Services at the Group level.
Image
Julien Louisor
CFO & Executive Director
Julien was appointed to the Board as an Executive Director in July 2020 following his appointment as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). He is also a member of the RCI Bank UK Executive Committee.
Julien has worked for our parent company, RCI Bank and Services, for over ten years in Spain, France and most recently, as the CFO in Ireland for three years. Prior to becoming CFO of RCI Bank, he was the Deputy CFO from October 2019.
Julien holds a Master’s degree in Management from the Institut Mines-Telecom Business School. He is multilingual with fluency in English, French and Spanish.
Julien has worked for our parent company, RCI Bank and Services, for over ten years in Spain, France and most recently, as the CFO in Ireland for three years. Prior to becoming CFO of RCI Bank, he was the Deputy CFO from October 2019.
Julien holds a Master’s degree in Management from the Institut Mines-Telecom Business School. He is multilingual with fluency in English, French and Spanish.
Julien was appointed to the Board as an Executive Director in July 2020 following his appointment as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). He is also a member of the RCI Bank UK Executive Committee.
Julien has worked for our parent company, RCI Bank and Services, for over ten years in Spain, France and most recently, as the CFO in Ireland for three years. Prior to becoming CFO of RCI Bank, he was the Deputy CFO from October 2019.
Julien holds a Master’s degree in Management from the Institut Mines-Telecom Business School. He is multilingual with fluency in English, French and Spanish.
Julien has worked for our parent company, RCI Bank and Services, for over ten years in Spain, France and most recently, as the CFO in Ireland for three years. Prior to becoming CFO of RCI Bank, he was the Deputy CFO from October 2019.
Julien holds a Master’s degree in Management from the Institut Mines-Telecom Business School. He is multilingual with fluency in English, French and Spanish.
Image
Marc Lagrene
Non-Executive Director
Marc was appointed to the board in April 2024 as Non-Executive Director.
Marc brings almost three decades of experience in the financial sector, specialising in risk. He began his career in 1991 at RCI Banque S.A. as a Performance Controller. Between 1995 and 2010, Marc held multiple positions in senior leadership within control and credit risk at DIAC and RCI Banque S.A. In October 2018, he was appointed Vice President, Credit at RCI Banque S.A. and joined the Executive Committee.
Marc is currently Chief Risk Officer of RCI Banque S.A, the group which operates under the commercial brand Mobilize Financial Services, since May 10th 2022.
Marc brings almost three decades of experience in the financial sector, specialising in risk. He began his career in 1991 at RCI Banque S.A. as a Performance Controller. Between 1995 and 2010, Marc held multiple positions in senior leadership within control and credit risk at DIAC and RCI Banque S.A. In October 2018, he was appointed Vice President, Credit at RCI Banque S.A. and joined the Executive Committee.
Marc is currently Chief Risk Officer of RCI Banque S.A, the group which operates under the commercial brand Mobilize Financial Services, since May 10th 2022.
Marc was appointed to the board in April 2024 as Non-Executive Director.
Marc brings almost three decades of experience in the financial sector, specialising in risk. He began his career in 1991 at RCI Banque S.A. as a Performance Controller. Between 1995 and 2010, Marc held multiple positions in senior leadership within control and credit risk at DIAC and RCI Banque S.A. In October 2018, he was appointed Vice President, Credit at RCI Banque S.A. and joined the Executive Committee.
Marc is currently Chief Risk Officer of RCI Banque S.A, the group which operates under the commercial brand Mobilize Financial Services, since May 10th 2022.
Marc brings almost three decades of experience in the financial sector, specialising in risk. He began his career in 1991 at RCI Banque S.A. as a Performance Controller. Between 1995 and 2010, Marc held multiple positions in senior leadership within control and credit risk at DIAC and RCI Banque S.A. In October 2018, he was appointed Vice President, Credit at RCI Banque S.A. and joined the Executive Committee.
Marc is currently Chief Risk Officer of RCI Banque S.A, the group which operates under the commercial brand Mobilize Financial Services, since May 10th 2022.
Image
Keith Smithson
Independent Non-Executive Director
Keith was appointed to the board in July 2024 as Independent Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Board Audit Committee.
After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG, Keith built a 35 year executive career in Banking and Financial Services, primarily in Chief Financial Officer and Treasury roles within HSBC and Barclays. In his career as a CFO, he covered motor and commercial asset finance and leasing, retail banking, insurance, wealth management, corporate and investment banking and capital markets businesses in the UK and internationally. Most recently Keith was Chief Financial Officer and an Executive Director of Barclays’ European Bank.
Keith previously served as a Non-Executive Director of Big Society Capital Limited, a regulated provider of social investment capital in the UK. In 2023 he was appointed to the Board as a Non-Executive Director of HS2 Ltd, providing oversight of the next stage of development of Europe’s largest infrastructure project. Keith was also appointed as an independent member of the Law Society’s Audit Committee in April 2024.
After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG, Keith built a 35 year executive career in Banking and Financial Services, primarily in Chief Financial Officer and Treasury roles within HSBC and Barclays. In his career as a CFO, he covered motor and commercial asset finance and leasing, retail banking, insurance, wealth management, corporate and investment banking and capital markets businesses in the UK and internationally. Most recently Keith was Chief Financial Officer and an Executive Director of Barclays’ European Bank.
Keith previously served as a Non-Executive Director of Big Society Capital Limited, a regulated provider of social investment capital in the UK. In 2023 he was appointed to the Board as a Non-Executive Director of HS2 Ltd, providing oversight of the next stage of development of Europe’s largest infrastructure project. Keith was also appointed as an independent member of the Law Society’s Audit Committee in April 2024.
Keith was appointed to the board in July 2024 as Independent Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Board Audit Committee.
After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG, Keith built a 35 year executive career in Banking and Financial Services, primarily in Chief Financial Officer and Treasury roles within HSBC and Barclays. In his career as a CFO, he covered motor and commercial asset finance and leasing, retail banking, insurance, wealth management, corporate and investment banking and capital markets businesses in the UK and internationally. Most recently Keith was Chief Financial Officer and an Executive Director of Barclays’ European Bank.
Keith previously served as a Non-Executive Director of Big Society Capital Limited, a regulated provider of social investment capital in the UK. In 2023 he was appointed to the Board as a Non-Executive Director of HS2 Ltd, providing oversight of the next stage of development of Europe’s largest infrastructure project. Keith was also appointed as an independent member of the Law Society’s Audit Committee in April 2024.
After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG, Keith built a 35 year executive career in Banking and Financial Services, primarily in Chief Financial Officer and Treasury roles within HSBC and Barclays. In his career as a CFO, he covered motor and commercial asset finance and leasing, retail banking, insurance, wealth management, corporate and investment banking and capital markets businesses in the UK and internationally. Most recently Keith was Chief Financial Officer and an Executive Director of Barclays’ European Bank.
Keith previously served as a Non-Executive Director of Big Society Capital Limited, a regulated provider of social investment capital in the UK. In 2023 he was appointed to the Board as a Non-Executive Director of HS2 Ltd, providing oversight of the next stage of development of Europe’s largest infrastructure project. Keith was also appointed as an independent member of the Law Society’s Audit Committee in April 2024.
