Specialist lender Cambridge & Counties Bank has appointed James Royle as its new Chief Risk Officer (CRO), effective March 2025, subject to UK regulatory approval.

Royle will report to Chief Executive Officer Donald Kerr, succeeding Mike Hudson, who is stepping back from full-time executive duties to focus on non-Executive Director roles.

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Royle joins from Recognise Bank, where he has served as CRO since June 2023, overseeing risk management across multiple domains, including prudential, credit, operational, and climate-related risks. Before that, he spent nearly 23 years at HSBC, holding senior roles such as Managing Director and Deputy Chief Operating Officer of UK Commercial Banking, as well as Head of Risk for the same division.

Cambridge & Counties Bank has been on a strong growth trajectory, achieving a record £328 million in gross new lending for FY2023, a 6% year-on-year increase. Total customer loan balances rose by 5% to £1.106 billion, while customer deposits grew to £1.155 billion.

CEO Donald Kerr highlighted the importance of risk management in the bank’s success, said: “We are very pleased to welcome someone of James’ calibre and experience to the team. “Risk management has become a critical business responsibility, and James will play a vital role in helping us meet our organizational goals and deliver excellence to clients.”

Kerr also expressed gratitude to outgoing CRO Mike Hudson for his contributions over the past five years, crediting him with strengthening the bank’s risk framework and regulatory relations.

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This appointment follows other senior hires, including the October 2024 addition of Richard Hanrahan as Chief Financial Officer, further demonstrating the bank’s commitment to attracting top industry talent.

Cambridge & Counties Bank is jointly owned in equal parts by Trinity Hall, a college of the University of Cambridge, and the Cambridgeshire Local Government Pension Fund. The bank is led by Chief Executive Donald Kerr and supported by a strong management team.