UK banking infrastructure firm ClearBank has confirmed the appointment of Mark Fairless as the company’s new CEO, being promoted from the role of CFO.
Outgoing CEO Charles McManus, also Co-Founder of ClearBank, will continue to play an active role in the business strategy of the firm as a non-executive Board Member.
As noted above, Fairless will succeed McManus in the role having been part of ClearBank as its CFO since joining in January 2023, where he played a pivotal role in building and implementing long-term strategies to drive optimisation and growth.
Prior to his time at ClearBank, Fairless served as CFO for M&G Heritage Business, an international savings and investment company. Furthermore, he previously held senior positions at Santander UK and Barclays Investment Bank with more than two decades of experience.
Fairless commented on his appointment: “I’m thrilled to lead ClearBank as CEO. This is a business that has made significant strides in recent years and which has huge potential to go further.
“With such strong foundations, we’re primed for the next phase of ClearBank’s evolution, with high calibre clients and with the business well placed for further growth.”
Founded in 2015 to provide banking services to financial institutions, McManus has served as ClearBank’s CEO since co-founding the firm with Nick Ogden.
While McManus will no longer continue with the day-to-day operations of ClearBank, his new role as a Group Board Member will see him continue to lend his expertise and advice moving forward.
“It’s been a huge privilege to lead ClearBank during the last nine years. I hand over to a trusted partner who has been at the centre of the business during the last two years and who will be a brilliant leader as we continue to evolve and prepare for further growth,” said McManus.
“My commitment to and belief in ClearBank remain unwavering. Given our great momentum, now is the time for me to take a step away from the business’ day-to-day operations, while continuing to represent the industry as a whole via my involvement with the Unicorn Council.”
