Together has appointed Colin Kersley to its retail board.

As an independent non-executive director, Kersley (pictured) will also chair the retail audit committee. He was previously chief executive officer of M&S Bank plc (a wholly-owned subsidiary of HSBC) where he worked closely with the independent board to convert the card company to a bank, which was launched in 2012.

His career in financial services spans over 40 years, having joined Midland Bank in 1975 and then HSBC in 1995, and he has held senior roles across retail, commercial and corporate banking.

Kersley said: “I’m looking forward to sitting on the retail board at Together at this exciting time. The business is growing rapidly and the alternative finance sector as a whole is really changing the landscape of the financial services industry.

“My prior experience will enable me to provide valuable insight and to support and challenge the business in the right way and I’m very pleased to have the opportunity to help shape the direction of the retail division.”

Group chairman Mike McTighe added: “We’re really pleased to welcome Colin as an independent non-executive director. His proven ability to deliver results throughout his career and his understanding in terms of sales, quality and regulatory demands will be invaluable in helping us to develop our retail division in line with our growth strategy.”