Alan Hughes MBA, FCIB, FRSA, D.Univ (h.c.)
Education & Honours
1974 FCIB, Chartered Banker, distinction & prize. Fellow 2002
1984 MBA, Henley Management College
2004 FRSA, Fellow, Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures & Commerce
2009-12 ‘MBA Teacher of the Year’ four times, Warwick University Business School
2022 D.Univ, Honorary Doctorate (h.c.) Loughborough University
Expertise & Experience
(1) Business and Finance:
Distinguished for an exceptional record of innovation, growth, exemplary customer service & value creation in retail & commercial banking.
(2) Government and Public Service includes:
Chair of Independent Assurance Panel of Government ID card scheme, independent member and advisor to HM Cabinet Delivery Council; Deputy Chair, Honorary Treasurer and Pro-Chancellor, Loughborough University.
(3) Speaking, Teaching and Communicating:
Taught banking and MBA students. Advocates approaching things afresh, with objectivity, without dogma, wary of prejudice. Promotes integrity, shared purpose, collaboration, and innovation, for growth & productivity with accountability.
Non-Executive Roles Include
2020 - Chair Equals Group Plc Payments & FX platform for SMEs (EQLS.L).
2017 – Chair Mitsubishi HC Capital UK Plc Asset Finance for SMEs & individuals. UK arm of Mitsubishi HC Capital inc. Japan. (8593.T) SID 2017-22, Chair 2022.
2014 – Chair, Unity Trust Bank Plc. King’s Award winning ethical bank for SMEs. Advisor 2014, Chair since 2015
Previous roles include Chair of RMM Ltd (‘Ratesetter’), Chair of a bid for Royal Bank of Scotland Branches, (FT article). Non-executive director of NewDay Group plc, Capital One Bank plc, and HM Passport 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.
Some 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.