Unity Trust Bank appoints new chief operating officer

Unity Trust Bank has announced the appointment of Martin Barrett as its chief operating officer (COO), as the ethical bank continues to drive forward its strategic growth plans.

Martin (pictured) previously worked at Lloyds Banking Group for 24 years, and brings a wealth of experience in commercial banking, payments, financial crime, and operational and change management.

During this time, he held a variety of senior roles within the bank including Change Management Programme director during Lloyds TSB’s merger with Halifax Bank of Scotland in 2009, head of payment operations for Lloyds Banking Group, and operations director.

Most recently, Martin was managing director of Banking Operations for Lloyds’ business and commercial customers, with a strong focus on optimising customer journeys.

In his new role, Martin will be responsible for enabling Unity to best deliver its five-year plan to 2030.

His work will focus on unlocking business growth potential in new sectors and segments, improving operational capacity, and strengthening the bank’s strategic objectives for the future.

With a commitment to support both current and future customers, Martin will ensure Unity maintains its purpose-driven and relationship-led banking model, alongside developing and investing in technological solutions and products to create a seamless customer experience.

Martin said: “In my position as COO, I see myself as a flagbearer for service. At Unity, every transaction and interaction is driven by how we can best serve our customers and, in turn, help to deliver positive impact on society.

“I am committed to upholding Unity’s intentionally human banking approach, and ensuring that we continuously improve and innovate our service offering.

“I’m also proud to support Unity’s double bottom line strategy, which seeks to deliver social impact alongside financial returns. To work for a business with such a strong and transparent purpose, a clear strategy for growth, and a deep commitment to relationship-led banking, is an exciting opportunity and I look forward to driving forward the bank’s future ambitions.”

Colin Fyfe, CEO at Unity Trust Bank, said: “Martin’s extensive banking experience, his proven acumen for operational management, and his personal commitment to service excellence will be of great value to the business as we look to deliver on our five-year strategic plan.

“Martin deeply values our customer-driven proposition, which places people and purpose at the heart of our business growth plans. His leadership skills and expertise will play a vital role in enhancing our services to customers and amplifying our future impact, so we can continue to make a real difference for communities and individuals across the UK.”

Unity was founded by the trade union movement in 1984 to serve the common good. It assesses every loan proposal against the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals and the social benefit it will create, to ensure the bank’s funding has demonstrable impact.

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