Operative Bank : 01/09/2016 The Co-operative Bank appoints HR Director

The Co-operative Bank Appoints HR Director

The Co-operative Bank today announces the appointment of Helen Gallagher as its new HR director, subject to regulatory approvals. Helen, who is expected to join in early 2017, will be a member of the Executive Committee reporting directly to Liam Coleman who takes over as CEO of the Bank in January 2017. She is currently the Retail HR Director at Lloyds Banking Group, and has also held senior HR positions at Santander and Barclays.

Julie Harding, who has led the Bank's HR strategy for the past three years, will be stepping down, as planned, once Helen joins. Julie joined the Bank in January 2014 as a member of the executive team recruited to help deliver the transformation required in the early years of the Bank's turnaround plan.

Niall Booker, Chief Executive Officer of The Co-operative Bank, said: 'We welcome Helen as our new HR Director. Her deep knowledge of retail banking will prove extremely valuable as we continue to progress the turnaround of the Bank with the help of our talented colleagues. Helen will take on the excellent work that Julie Harding has delivered over the past three years. Our people and our workplace values are vital in defining and differentiating us and I would like to thank Julie for her substantial contribution as we have continued to make progress implementing our turnaround.'

Helen Gallagher said: 'The Co-operative Bank has a rich heritage and a distinct position in the market and central to that are its people, its customer service and the values and ethics that set it apart. I am looking forward to joining the Bank in the next stage of its turnaround.

ENDS

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About The Co-operative Bank
The Co-operative Bank plc provides a full range of banking products and services to 4 million retail and SME (Small and Medium Sized Enterprises) customers. The Bank is committed to values and ethics in line with the principles of the co-operative movement. The Co-operative Bank is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. The Co-operative Bank plc customers are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) in the UK.