Alpha Group has officially announced the appointment of Dame Jayne-Anne Gadhia as Chair Designate, a decision set to take effect following the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on May 1, 2024. This pivotal appointment is contingent upon the successful completion of standard regulatory due diligence conducted by the Company’s Nominated Adviser.
Dame Jayne-Anne Gadhia, a distinguished figure in the financial sector, is celebrated for her remarkable contributions to financial leadership. As a chartered accountant, her journey in finance has seen significant milestones, including foundational roles at Norwich Union (now Aviva), Virgin Direct, and the successful launch and leadership of Virgin Money. Her tenure at Virgin Money was marked by strategic acquisitions, such as Northern Rock, culminating in a successful IPO in 2014.
Post her leadership at Virgin Money, Gadhia contributed to Salesforce and later ventured into the fintech domain with Snoop, which Vanquis Bank acquired in July 2023. Currently, Gadhia holds prestigious positions across various organizations, including HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), Moneyfarm, Tate, and Vanquis Bank. She is also actively involved in promoting financial inclusion and gender diversity in finance, as demonstrated by her role as the UK Government’s Women in Finance Champion and her advisory position on the Women in Finance Charter.
Her exemplary leadership and dedication to fostering inclusion in the financial industry have been recognized with multiple honors, including being made a Dame in the 2019 Honours list and receiving a CVO in the 2022 Birthday Honours List.
The transition sees Clive Kahn stepping down as Chair of Alpha Group at the 2025 AGM, with Gadhia slated to assume full responsibilities as Chair thereafter. This planned handover is designed to ensure continuity in leadership and uphold the principles of good corporate governance.
Additionally, Alpha Group announced the departure of Lisa Gordon, Non-Executive Director, effective May 1, 2024. Gordon’s departure, coinciding with the AGM, follows her significant contributions to the Board since Alpha’s IPO in April 2017. The company expressed its gratitude for her guidance and instrumental role in Alpha’s growth journey, highlighting the search for an additional Non-Executive Director in the near future.
Morgan Tillbrook, CEO of Alpha Group, expressed his appreciation for Gordon’s contributions and excitement for Gadhia’s upcoming tenure: “It is a privilege to bring someone of Jayne-Anne’s calibre to our Board. Her extensive track record of leading major financial institutions, as well as establishing and successfully growing fintech companies, provides a rare blend of experience which aligns perfectly with our desire to scale and mature, whilst retaining our entrepreneurial high-performance culture.”
Reflecting on her new role, Gadhia shared her enthusiasm for joining Alpha Group: “I am delighted to be joining Alpha as it embarks on this exciting next chapter in its growth story. Alpha is a fantastic company with an exciting vision, and I am looking forward to being able to contribute to its success.”
As Alpha Group prepares for this strategic leadership transition, Dame Jayne-Anne Gadhia’s appointment symbolizes a significant milestone in the company’s journey towards innovation and excellence in the financial and fintech sectors.
