William Vereker, Chair
Santander UK Group Holdings plc and Santander UK plc
William Vereker was appointed Chair on 1 November 2020, previously Independent Non-Executive Director from 1 October 2020.
William is an experienced and well-respected Banker, previously having served as Global Head of Investment Banking for UBS (2013 – 2018), and prior to that holding a number of leadership roles at Nomura, Lehman Brothers and Morgan Stanley. From 2018 to 2019 he served as the Prime Minister’s Business Envoy. He was a Vice Chairman at JP Morgan until October 2020.
Other roles: William is a Non-Executive Director to the London Stock Exchange Group Plc and is currently a member of the UK Prime Minister’s Investment Council. He sits on the Advisory Board of Celonis GmbH and also chairs the Advisory Board of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge.
William has been a member of the Board Nomination & Governance Committee since 1 October 2020 and its Chair since 1 November 2020.
Pedro Castro e Almeida
Santander UK Group Holdings plc and Santander UK plc
Pedro was appointed Non-Executive Director on 1 September 2023.
Pedro joined Banco Santander Totta S.A. (also known as Banco Santander (Portugal)) in 1993, holding senior roles in various areas. From 2007 to 2009, he was a member of the boards of Banco Santander Totta and Banco Santander de Negócios Portugal. Since 2009, Pedro has been a member of the Banco Santander (Portugal) Executive Committee, and since 2010 he has been a member of the Board of Banco Santander (Portugal). In January 2019, he was appointed CEO of Banco Santander (Portugal) and Vice Chairman of its Board. He also assumed the role of Santander Regional Head of Europe from 1 September 2023.
Pedro holds a degree in Business Management from ISEG and has studied at business schools in Europe and the US, namely INSEAD, Harvard Business School and Kellogg School of Management.
Lisa Fretwell, Independent Non-Executive Director
Santander UK Group Holdings plc and Santander UK plc
Lisa Fretwell was appointed Independent Non-Executive Director on 1 January 2022.
Lisa has 25 years’ experience within financial services, technology, retail, and manufacturing industries in both business and consulting roles. She holds a first class honours in Chemical engineering from the University of Birmingham and an M.B.A from Cranfield Business School. She was awarded Business Leader of the Year by Women in Credit in 2020.
Lisa joined Santander from Experian, where she was Managing Director of Experian UK’s Data Business from 2019 - 2021. Prior to this, Lisa held various senior roles at Cisco for over 10 years, including Vice President of Software and Operations and Managing Director of Consulting Services and Internet Business Solutions. Lisa also held roles at Capgemini and Procter & Gamble before joining Cisco.
Lisa is a Non-Executive Director at Restore plc since 20 April 2022 (and Chair of the Board Risk Committee, ESG Committee and Remuneration Committee and member of the Audit Committee and Nomination Committee). She is also a member of the Council at the University of Birmingham (and a member of the Audit Committee) and a senior advisor to Tresmares Capital.
On her appointment Lisa became a member of the Board Responsible Banking Committee and the Board Audit Committee. On 1 March 2023, Lisa Fretwell was appointed as the designated NED chosen to represent the views of the workforce. On 1 October 2023, Lisa became a member of the Board Remuneration Committee.
Ed Giera, Senior Independent Non-Executive Director
Santander UK Group Holdings plc and Santander UK plc
Ed Giera was appointed Independent Non-Executive Director on 19 August 2015 and Senior Independent Non-Executive Director on 15 October 2020.
Ed Giera is an experienced Non-Executive Director, having held a number of Board roles following his career with JP Morgan Securities, the investment banking affiliate of JP Morgan Chase & Co. He provided corporate finance advisory and fiduciary services as Principal of EJ Giera LLC and was formerly a Non-Executive Director of NovaTech LLC and the Life and Longevity Markets Association. Ed was also a director of Pension Corporation Group Ltd from 2012 to 2015, and Pension Insurance Corporation Holdings Ltd from 2008 to 2012.
Ed is also Non-Executive Director of Rothesay Life PLC since 25 January 2021 and Chair of the Risk Committee with effect from 7 July 2022, member of the Audit Committee with effect from 25 January 2021, and member of the Nomination Committee with effect from 8 December 2023).
Ed has been a member of the Board Audit Committee since 19 August 2015, the Board Risk Committee since 19 August 2015 and its Chair since 1 November 2015, the Board Nomination & Governance Committee since 16 October 2020 and the Board Remuneration Committee since 1 November 2020.
Dave Gledhill, Independent Non-Executive Director
Santander UK Group Holdings plc and Santander UK plc
Dave Gledhill was appointed Independent Non-Executive Director on 1 September 2024.
Dave has significant experience in the financial services industry, in retail banking and digital transformation. He has held various senior leadership roles, including Group Chief Information Officer and Head of Technology and Operations at DBS Bank in Singapore, spending over a decade in that role.
He is currently a Non-Executive Director of Singapore Airlines and the Institute of Systems Science, National University of Singapore.
On his appointment Dave became a member of the Board Responsible Banking Committee, the Board Audit Committee and Board Remuneration Committee.
Michelle Hinchliffe, Independent Non-Executive Director
Santander UK Group Holdings plc and Santander UK plc
Michelle was appointed Independent Non-Executive Director on 1 June 2023.
Michelle has over 30 years’ experience in financial services audit both in the UK and internationally, with a particular focus on Banking and Capital Markets. Until 2022, she was Lead Partner at KPMG with responsibilities for a range of financial institution clients, reporting under both IFRS and US GAAP. Over the course of her career, she has been Lead Partner for Barclays, ANZ, Standard Chartered Bank, HSBC Investment Banking & Markets and Citigroup UK.
Michelle is also a Non-Executive Director on the boards of BHP Group Limited and Macquarie Group Limited since March 2022 and joined the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales Australasia Strategic Advisory group in May 2024.
On her appointment Michelle became a member of the Board Audit Committee and the Board Risk Committee. On 1 October 2023, Michelle was appointed as Chair of the Board Audit Committee and a member of the Board Nomination & Governance Committee. Michelle is also Santander UK’s Whistleblowers’ Champion.
Mark Lewis, Independent Non-Executive Director
Santander UK Group Holdings plc and Santander UK plc
Mark Lewis was appointed Independent Non-Executive Director of Santander UK plc on 16 December 2020 and Santander UK Group Holdings plc on 1 January 2024.
Mark brings a track record of digital transformation and growth across multiple consumer businesses and sectors. Most recently he was CEO of Moneysupermarket Group plc, operating regulated market places across financial services, travel and home services and helping UK households save over £7bn from their bills.
Prior to this, Mark sat on the John Lewis Management Board as Retail Director, responsible for sales and operations across 48 UK department stores and online channels serving 37 countries. He previously served as Managing Director of eBay UK and CEO of Collect+.
Mark is also Group Chairman of Iamproperty, Independent Non-Executive Director of Direct Line Insurance Group plc, Trustee of The Photographers Gallery, and Non-Executive Director of Santander Consumer (UK) plc.
On his appointment Mark became a member of the Board Remuneration Committee, Board Risk Committee and Board Responsible Banking Committee. He was appointed Chair of the Santander UK plc Board Remuneration Committee on 16 December 2023, Chair of the Santander UK Group Holdings Board Remuneration Committee and a member of the Board Nomination & Governance Committee on 1 January 2024.
Dirk Marzluf, Non-Executive Director
Santander UK Group Holdings plc and Santander UK plc
Dirk Marzluf was appointed Non-Executive Director of Santander UK plc on 7 May 2019 and Santander UK Group Holdings plc on 1 January 2024.
Dirk joined Banco Santander as Group Chief Operating and Technology Officer (COTO) in September 2018. He joined Banco Santander from AXA Group, where he served as Group Chief Information Officer (CIO) since 2013 leading the insurance group’s technology and information security transformation, its overall project portfolio and as co-sponsor of its digital strategy. His global technology leadership roles include previous work at Accenture, Daimler Chrysler and Winterthur Group.
As Banco Santander Group Head of Technology and Operations, Dirk Marzluf is responsible for leading the information technology and operations function and its strategic development.
The Rt Hon. the Baroness Morgan of Cotes, Independent Non-Executive Director
Santander UK Group Holdings plc and Santander UK plc
Nicky Morgan was appointed Independent Non-Executive Director of Santander UK plc on 10 August 2021 and Santander UK Group Holdings plc on 1 January 2024.
Nicky is a former MP, Cabinet Minister and Chair of the House of Commons Treasury Committee and is now a member of the House of the Lords. She is a qualified solicitor by background and before being elected to Parliament spent 16 years with City law firms, focused on mergers and acquisitions and advisory work. Nicky possesses significant experience as a senior leader of high-profile large organisations, responsible for setting and overseeing implementation of strategy and communicating the organisation’s narrative and capabilities. She brings a wealth of experience from both a public and private perspective of the financial services sector, communications & media, and digital & technology.
Nicky is also Chair of the Association of British Insurers, a non-executive director of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme and Chair of the Board of the Careers & Enterprise Company.
On her appointment Nicky became Chair of the Board Responsible Banking Committee and a member of the Board Risk Committee. On 1 October 2023, Nicky was appointed as a member of the Board Nomination & Governance Committee. Nicky is also the Board’s appointed Consumer Duty Champion.
José María Roldán, Independent Non-Executive Director
Santander UK Group Holdings plc and Santander UK plc
José María Roldán was appointed Independent Non-Executive Director on 1 June 2023.
Prior to this, José María was Chairman and CEO of the Spanish Banking Association (2014 – 2022). He spent 13 years as Director-General at the Banking Regulation and Financial Stability department of the Bank of Spain, and member of its Executive Board. During his tenure in office at the Bank of Spain, he was part of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision. He also previously served as Board Member and Vice President of the European Banking Federation.
José María founded and Chaired the Committee of European Banking Supervisors (CEBS) (the forerunner of the European Banking Authority (EBA)). He brings an in-depth knowledge and expertise in banking supervision and public policy, as well as over 25 years’ experience in the financial sector in Europe.
On his appointment José María became a member of the Board Risk Committee and Board Responsible Banking Committee. He has been Chair of Cater Allen Limited since 16 December 2023. Jose Maria also became a member of the Board Remuneration Committee on 1 October 2024.
Pamela Walkden, Non-Executive Director
Santander UK Group Holdings plc and Santander UK plc
Pamela Walkden was appointed Non-Executive Director on 1 October 2021.
Pamela is currently Independent Director of Banco Santander, S.A. (since 2019) where she is the Audit Committee Chair. She is also a member of the Advisory Board at JD Haspel Limited.
Previously, Pamela has served in a number of senior management positions predominantly at Standard Chartered Bank, including as Group Head of Human Resources, Chief Risk Officer, Group Treasurer, Group Head of Asset and Liability Management and Regional Markets, Group Head of Internal Audit, Group Head of Corporate Affairs and Group Manager of Investor Relations. In addition, she served as an independent member of the UK Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) Regulatory Reform Panel and as member of the European Banking Authority Stakeholder Group.
Pamela was appointed as a member of the Board Nomination & Governance Committee on appointment as an Independent Non-Executive Director.
For further information on other principal appointments of board members to companies part of the Banco Santander Group, please refer to our latest Annual Report.
Compliance with CRD IV
Santander UK plc complies with sections 4.3A.5R and 4.3A.7R of the FCA/PRA Senior Management Arrangements, Systems and Controls manual. The Board members of Santander UK plc are regularly reminded of their duty to notify the Board of any changes to their external directorships, which are kept under review by the Secretariat department.