Mike Says is to retire as CEO of GB Bank after leading the challenger brand from pre-authorisation to profitability.
He will be succeeded by Eddie Trahearn, currently chief strategy & financial officer – subject to regulatory approval – at the end of April 2026.
Since joining in 2021, Say has overseen a period of rapid growth and transformation. Under his leadership, GB Bank secured its full banking licence, raised growth capital to support expansion, grew the lending book to approximately £800 million, built an institutional funding line franchise supported by a diversified deposit platform, and increased the balance sheet 7x to over £2 billion.
The bank has also reached profitability and is now operating on a self-sustaining footing. Says will retain board roles within the group.
Trahearn joined GB Bank in 2021 as head of treasury & funding. He previously held senior treasury and balance sheet roles at Belmont Green, LendInvest and Charter Savings Bank.
GB Bank is also strengthening its executive team. Pankaj Thukral, chief lending officer, will broaden his role to become deputy CEO. Adam Royal, currently head of finance, will step into the role of CFO, and Tom Graham, group treasurer, will become chief capital and treasury officer.
The leadership team also features COO Anne-Marie Lister and chief risk officer Rupert Carlton.
“I joined GB Bank with a clear objective: to build and scale a bank from pre-authorisation through to sustainable profitability,” said Says. “Having achieved what I set out to do, with the bank now on a strong and self-sustaining footing, this is the right time for me to step down from the executive role and begin the next chapter of my career.
“Eddie is the right person to lead GB Bank forward, and I am confident the bank has a very bright future.”
Trahearn added: “I would like to thank Mike for his leadership and for the platform he has built. We have achieved a great deal in a short period of time and have significant opportunities ahead.
“I am excited to take on the role of CEO, supported by a strong and experienced executive team.”