John Flint Appointed as Infrastructure Bank CE

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, has appointed John Flint as the first permanent Chief Executive of the UK Infrastructure Bank (UKIB).

Mr Flint will be tasked with leading the Bank to accelerate investment into ambitious infrastructure projects which cut emissions and help level up every part of the UK.

Mr Flint is committed to the UKIB’s levelling-up agenda, and will be based at the institution’s headquarters in Leeds. Most recently, he held the role of Group Chief Executive at HSBC, where he spent 30 years.

First announced by the Chancellor alongside the Spending Review, the UKIB will help finance important projects in every region and nation of the UK in sectors including clean energy, transport, digital, water and waste.

Mr Sunak said: “I am delighted to appoint John Flint as the first permanent CEO of the UK Infrastructure Bank. This is an important milestone for the Bank in its efforts to tackle climate change and level up, while creating new opportunities across the UK as part of our Plan for Jobs.

“Mr Flint brings outstanding financial and management expertise which will be crucial to leading the organisation as it grows its operations and starts to deliver on its mission to finance projects in every region of the UK.”

Chris Grigg CBE, Chair of UKIB, commented: “The CEO will play a pivotal role in shaping the organisation’s culture, taking charge of UKIB’s development and performance, and leading its talented workforce. John Flint has an outstanding track record and deep experience within both finance and senior leadership positions; I look forward to working with him closely in his new position.

“I would also like to offer my personal thanks to John Mahon, who has served as interim CEO with considerable skill, for his many contributions to the Bank – steering UKIB through a crucial development period.”

The UKIB will receive an initial £12 billion of capital and will be able to issue a further £10 billion of government guarantees, helping to unlock more than £40 billion of investment overall.

Mr Flint was appointed following a fair and open competition and will lead the executive functions of UKIB and, as CEO, sit on the institution’s board. He will formally begin his role on 27 September.

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