Alan Hughes

An accomplished retail and commercial banker, Alan Hughes draws on his roles working for several key corporations to deliver insightful keynote speeches that highlight the importance of leadership, branding, and affective customer service.

Notably, Alan was General Manager and Management Committee member of HSBC EU where he played a vital role in developing the HSBC brand and running its key subsidiaries. As Chief Executive of First Bank, he trebled the size of the company, increased its profits over the course of five years, and raised its profile to the UK’s most recommended bank. Responsible for invoice finance throughout the HSBC Group, he was also main board director of HSBC UK’s commercial asset finance group and CEO of its factoring and invoice discounting business.

In the 2000s, Alan served as Chairman of the National Identity Scheme Assurance Group (the independent review panel set up on behalf of Parliament), as a member of the UK Government Cabinet Office Delivery Council, and as a non-executive director of the UK Identity and Passport Service.

With a view to encourage competition and service innovation in banking and finance, Alan is currently Chairman of Unity Trust Bank plc, a challenger bank for socially minded SMEs. He is also Chairman of RateSetter (the leading peer to peer lending platform in the UK), Deputy Chairman of Hampden & Co plc (a new private bank), and non–executive director of New Day group of companies (one of the UK’s most significant credit card issuers).

Alan is also an avid supporter of higher education, having achieved noteworthy credentials during his own student years. He won Midland Bank’s only sponsored place against national competition at Henley Management College where he gained an MBA. He later completed his banking qualifications with distinction and taught the Chartered Institute of Bankers’ senior exams.

Since then, Alan has worked as a visiting lecturer at INSEAD France, Oxford University Saïd and Warwick University business schools. Well-respected in the educational spheres, he is on the Leeds University Business School Advisory Board, acts as Honorary Treasurer of Loughborough University, and was awarded ‘Outstanding MBA Teacher of the Year’ four years in a row (2008-2012) by Warwick University.

Alan is highly regarded in the speaker circuit, having inspired companies such as Allianz Germany; Chordiant Software Inc.; First Direct; Johnson Controls Inc.; the Metropolitan Police; Morgan Sindall plc and Novartis Switzerland. He has also counselled the National Health Service on Leadership and advised the BBC Governors (at the time) on developing accountability in a large organisation.

His speaking topics include:

- Creating a sense of shared values

- Achieving exemplary customer service

- Marketing and branding

- Rewarding, valuing and engaging staff