Open Banking Implementation Entity appoints first CEO

Open Banking Implementation Entity (OBIE) has appointed its first CEO – Henk Van Hulle – “to provide strategic, financial, and operational leadership”.

Henk Van Hulle, CEO of OBIE

OBIE was created in 2016 by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and funded by the UK’s nine largest banks, known collectively as CMA9, to deliver open banking. Its trading name is Open Banking Limited.

The nine banks are Allied Irish Bank, Bank of Ireland, Barclays, Danske, HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group, Nationwide, Natwest Group, and Santander. OBIE works with them as well as other banks (including challenger banks), financial technology companies, third-party providers, and consumer groups.

The creation of the chief executive role at OBIE is a result of the updated governance arrangements published by the CMA.

Van Hulle joins from Post Office Ltd, where he has more than nine years’ experience in senior roles in innovation, including managing director of digital services and as deputy CEO, financial services and telecoms.

Charlotte Crosswell, who was appointed as chair and trustee of OBIE in October 2021, says Van Hulle’s experience will be “invaluable” to the organisation.

“I remain wholly committed to making both immediate and ongoing changes, to strengthen OBIE’s governance and culture following the publication of the independent Alison White report and as we prepare for our next phase,” Crosswell states.

“We want to ensure the OBIE of today, and whatever new entity we transition to remains a culturally progressive, inclusive, fit for purpose organisation,” Van Hulle adds.