Richard DaviesFounder

United Kingdom - London, England

Having had the privilege to previously work with 3 UK fintech unicorns (OakNorth, Revolut, WorldRemit), I am passionate about leading growth through client centric technology & business model innovation, with a particular interest in SMEs.

After initial years of career in strategy design and implementation at LEK Consulting & Barclays, I moved to run front office divisions in Barclays covering SMEs in South East (2008-2010) & then as MD for global corporates across the UK, and COO globally (2010-13).

In 2013, headhunted to lead new SME challenger bank OakNorth's entry into the UK banking market. After successfully leading first phase of developing business plan, hiring executive team, risk systems / product set / operating model design, and regulatory licence submission, I joined HSBC.

UK COO role covered broad range of responsibilities for $2bn PBT Commercial division of HSBC: business strategy & change activity, digital run & transformation, major regulatory change programmes (e.g. Ringfencing, CMA), first line risk management, lending products (including HSBC Equipment Finance division), and operations. In 2016 focused fully on digital transformation with a global remit, as Global Head of Propositions and Digital Development for the Commercial Bank.

Joined TSB Executive Committee to lead SME banking at start 2018. Addressed customer issues resulting from LBG technology migration, and implemented growth plan including improvements to onboarding, BCA and savings products, new field RM channel, and partnerships with Square and Enterprise Nation.

Joined Revolut as group COO, leading the group’s global banking proposition, including establishing new leadership teams and operations in Ireland, US, Australia, and Singapore; launching Revolut’s bank in Europe; Revolut grew from 5 to 15 million customers and raised $580m.

Took on my current CEO role for Allica, shortly after Allica was authorised by the PRA. Our mission is to transform business banking for established SMEs. Backed by TCV, Atalaya, and Warwick, we are the fastest growing company in the UK in 2023: winning the Deloitte Fast 50; in 2024: winning the Sunday Times Hundred, Sifted Europe and Deloitte Fast 50 (x2); and in 2025: 2nd in the FT1000 index of all companies across Europe.