Santander UK today announced that Mike Regnier has confirmed his intention to step down as UK CEO by the first quarter of 2026.
Mr Regnier joined Santander UK in March 2022 and he has overseen a significant program of change and transformation within the business, culminating in the acquisition of TSB Banking Group plc from Banco Sabadell, subject to regulatory approval, in July of this year.
An appointment process to find Mike Regnier’s successor has started.
Mike Regnier said:
“It is my intention to step down as CEO of Santander UK by Q1 2026 after what will be four years of great strategic success for the business, culminating in the decision by the Group earlier this year to acquire TSB to accelerate our transformation.
“It had been my intention to move on after 4-5 years with Santander as I have other interests I would like to pursue. Given that the integration of TSB will take considerably longer than this, I have suggested to the Board that now would be a good time to find a successor who can see this critical project through to its completion and beyond.
“The integration will take time and focus, alongside the ongoing transformation of Santander UK which has strong momentum under an excellent Board and management team. Judging the right moment to move on is very important to ensure leadership stability through a period of intense change and opportunity. The foundations are in place to create the best bank for customers in the UK, fully integrated into the global banking group that is Santander. What was once a group of banks is becoming a truly important banking group, for the benefit of customers, shareholders, employees and the economies we serve.
“The process to find my successor is underway and I look forward to welcoming and handing over to them in due course so the momentum can continue.”
Mike Regnier was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Santander UK on 1 April 2022.
He joined Santander UK from Yorkshire Building Society (‘YBS’), where he was a Board member since 2014 and Chief Executive since 2017. He previously held the posts of Chief Commercial Officer and Chief Customer Officer, having joined YBS in 2014.
Mike Regnier began his career in strategic management consulting with a focus on retail and retail financial services. After management positions at Asda, he joined the banking sector and held a number of senior positions at Lloyds Banking Group, including Personal Current Accounts, Credit Cards Director and Products and Marketing Director for TSB. He has served as a Board Director of Visa UK, and Chairman of the merchant acquirer LTSB Cardnet. He was also Chair of the Building Societies Association from 2019 – 2021.
Mike Regnier holds a MEng in Engineering, Economic & Management from Oxford, together with an MBA from Insead.
