The OBIE picks its first chief executive
The Open Banking Implementation Entity (OBIE) has named Henk Van Hulle as its first ever chief executive, following a months-long search.
Van Hulle previously worked at Post Office Ltd where he spent nine years in a number of senior roles, including as director of digital services and deputy chief executive, financial services and telecoms.
Within his new role, Van Hulle will lead the OBIE executive team and provide strategic, financial, and operational leadership, while working closely with the chair and trustee, Charlotte Crosswell. He will also have primary responsibility for leading company operations and driving its overall strategy.
“I am delighted to be joining OBIE at this exciting time,” said Van Hulle.
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“The number of people using open banking continues to grow and as we complete the implementation phase of open banking, I want to see the benefits of it sustained and further developed throughout 2022 and beyond.
“At the same time, I am committed to working with Charlotte, the board, and the rest of the management team to not only ensure we address legacy issues but also adopt a culture of continuous learning and improvement going forward.
“We want to ensure the OBIE of today, and whatever new entity we transition to remains a culturally progressive, inclusive, fit for purpose organisation.”
The newly-created role of chief executive of the OBIE is part of a package of changes at the organisation.
Last year, Imran Gulamhuseinwala resigned as trustee and chair of the OBIE following allegations of bullying, and former Innovate Finance chief executive Crosswell was nominated as his replacement.
In response to Gulamhuseinwala’s resignation, the OBIE pledged to overhaul its employment infrastructure; implement new employment policies and procedures and establish a dedicated HR function and a culture and values working group.
Towards the end of 2021 the OBIE appointed two new independent non-executive directors to its board, and the organisation has also appointed a people and HR director, Debbie Lombard, to enhance HR practices and workplace culture.
“I am delighted that Henk is joining as chief executive and believe his experience will be invaluable as we strengthen the leadership of OBIE,” said Crosswell.
“We have also recently appointed Debbie Lombard as OBIE’s people and HR director to continue our work on HR practices and workplace culture.
I remain wholly committed to making both immediate and ongoing changes, to strengthen OBIE’s governance and culture as we prepare for our next phase.”
The OBIE is an independent organisation that, following an order by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), was set up in 2017 by the nine largest retail banks in the UK to implement open banking.
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