Jaime Gilinski Bacal, the Colombian billionaire investor, has joined the board of Metro Bank as a non-executive director.

Gilinski played a major role in Metro’s £325 million equity recapitalisation in October 2023, and owns a 52.88 per cent stake in the bank via his Spaldy Investments vehicle.

Under the terms of the fundraising, Spaldy was granted the right to appoint up to three directors to Metro’s board.

In a statement, Gilinksi said: "There are many opportunities for Metro Bank to grow and I am looking forward to playing a part. A customer-centric physical presence complemented by digital capabilities remains a unique offering and sets Metro Bank apart.”

The appointment will become effective once the necessary formalities are completed, Metro said.

Earlier this month, Metro announced that chief financial officer James Hopkinson would leave the bank during the first quarter of the year less than two years after he joined. Metro said that the executive was leaving for personal reasons and that Cristina Alba Ochoa will act as interim finance chief while it seeks a permanent successor.

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