Ahead of plans to roll-out nationally later this year, Scottish fintech OneBanks Hub has made two new leadership appointments.

Joining the board as non-executive director is Louise Smith, current chair of Innovate Finance. She will joined in August by Marianne ‘Mara’ Breen-Hart, who will become chief operating officer.

As well as being former chief digital officer of Lloyd’s of London, Smith has served as the Treasury’s fintech envoy to Scotland since 2016 – bringing a wealth of UK fintech experience, having previously been at both NatWest and Barclay’s.

Breen-Hart joins from PwC, where she was responsible for strategy and execution while serving as chief of staff in the UK risk business. Prior to that, she spent more than 10 years as a technology and strategy consultant at Accenture.

Breen-Hart will be working alongside founder and chief executive Duncan Cockburn, chief technology officer Andy Wilmot and recently-appointed head of people Tracey MacLennan, as part of a strengthened management team.

The fintech – which has a focus on accessibility – currently operates three pilot kiosks, found within Co-op supermarkets in towns with no bank branches, namely Lochgelly, Kilwinning and Denny.

The firm expects to participate in a tender process for a larger roll out of banking hubs for the major UK banks, due to take place in the second half of 2022.

Jonathan Hughes, chair of OneBanks Hub, said: “I am tremendously excited to welcome Louise and Mara to OneBanks Hub at this crucial time.

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“Their experience in the digital transformation of financial services will be invaluable as we prepare to take a significant role in the provision of everyday banking services in the UK.”

Cockburn added: “As we grow and mature, we need to have a first-class board and management team, and bringing Louise and Mara on board will ensure that we have what we need to make the difference we know we can make.

“Their backgrounds in technology, innovation and delivery will prove invaluable as we enter the next exciting stage of our development.”

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