P2P lender Zopa has appointed former Virgin Management CEO Gordon McCallum as chairman as it gears up for the forthcoming launch of its new banking venture.
McCallum takes over from Zopa co-founder Giles Andrew who is taking a backseat after 15 years at the helm to focus on his work as chairman with other fintech businesses, including Market Invoice, Kreditech, Bethnal Green Ventures, and Dynamic Credit.
McCallum served as CEO of Virgin’s UK management company and directed the group’s strategy from the mid-1990’s until 2012, with particular focus on Virgin Money and Virgin Media/Virgin Mobile.
Giles Andrews, Zopa co-founder, comments: “I am delighted that the board has appointed Gordon McCallum to succeed me as chairman. Having helped Zopa grow into a profitable, sustainable, and successful business, the time is right to pass on the baton to an independent chair."
Zopa received a restricted UK banking license in December last year, paving the way for the peer-to-peer lending pioneer to launch a brand-new suite of financial products built on proprietary technology.