Alan Hughes MBA, FCIB, FRSA, D.Univ (h.c.)
About
Chair, SID & NED in private, quoted, and start-up firms spanning Banking, Financial Services, Government and Higher Education. Successful stakeholder influencing across owners (PE, investment funds, market), regulators (PRA FCA), colleagues, and customers.
Distinguished for leadership in retail & commercial banking with a notable record of enhancing shareholder value, pioneering innovation, and exemplary customer service, including as Chief Executive of First Direct Bank.
35-year executive career with HSBC, rising from clerk to the UK Executive Board.
He champions the importance of integrity, common purpose, and pursuit of innovation for growth & productivity.
Non-executive Director Roles
2020 - present Equals Group Plc (EQLS:LON), Chairman, Non-Executive Director
2017 - present Mitsubishi HC Capital UK Plc, Chairman since 2022, SID, Non-Executive Director
2015 - present Unity Trust Bank Plc, Chairman, Non Executive Director
Previous roles include Pro-Chancellor, Deputy Chair of Council Loughborough University, Chair of
RMM Ltd (‘Ratesetter’), Chair of a bid for Royal Bank of Scotland Branches, (FT article). Chair of the Independent Assurance Panel of the Government’s National Identity Scheme (established at Parliament’s behest). Non-executive director of NewDay Group plc, Capital One Bank plc, HM Passport Office, Delivery Council of HM Cabinet Office.
He’s lectured at Warwick University Business School, Said Business School, University of Oxford, and been a popular keynote speaker for Speakers Corner (London) Ltd, on practical business leadership and effective customer service. Blue-chip clients included the BBC.
Executive career
HSBC for 35 years, joined as a clerk, rose to membership of UK & EU executive board as General Manager with responsibility for all products, service, pricing, and marketing. Other notable roles include Chief Executive of First Direct Bank, Director of significant HSBC subsidiaries including its commercial asset finance group as well as functional head of invoice finance across the HSBC Group.
Honours & Achievements
At Unity Trust Bank Plc, he negotiated its separation from the Co-Op Bank and subsequent four-fold growth in shareholder value, positioning Unity as the commercial bank with a social conscience. Unity received the King’s Award for Enterprise - Sustainable Development in 2024.
At HSBC UK/EU, he led the name change from Midland Bank, got board agreement to use the opportunity to transform the customer experience, not just the brand. This established a much-improved reputation for the bank. HSBC was the only large bank to grow its market share at this time.
At First Direct Bank, he trebled its size and earnings whilst also reinvigorating its service advantage. He proved the value of great customer service can have to both provider and customer. He transformed FD from a telephone to a multifaceted digital bank. His tenure saw First Direct honoured with the National Award for Best Customer Service overall.
As CEO HSBC Invoice Finance (then Griffin Factors) he led the establishment of a direct electronic data interchange system for a network of correspondent firms in 35 countries spanning 25 languages for instant and secure transfer of data to enable seamless financing for exporter and importer. He was elected Vice Chairman of Factors’ Chain International (international network of finance firms), and Chairman of the Association of British Factors.
Warwick University Business School students voted him ‘MBA Teacher of the Year’ four times.
He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate (h.c.) by Loughborough University.
Qualifications
Prize winner in Institute of Bankers exams - taught banking.
MBA, Henley Management College (won Midland Bank’s only sponsored place).
Fellow, Chartered Institute of Bankers.
Fellow, Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures & Commerce (RSA).