Graeme Hughes
Chair of the Board of Directors. Non-executive director. Chair of the Nomination Committee
Graeme joined the Board of Directors of Hodge in September 2019 as senior independent director. In May 2020, Graeme was appointed as chair of the Board of Directors of Hodge.
Graeme has spent the vast majority of his career with Nationwide Building Society, his final appointment being group distribution director, responsible for for all sales, service and regulated activities across branches, contact centres, financial planners, online channels and customer care teams, leading a total of 10,000 staff.
Earlier roles have seen him leading group strategy and planning, as well as human resources and external affairs.
Graeme also serves as a member of the Board Risk Committee and the Remuneration Committee for Hodge Board Committees.
John Barbour
Non-executive director. Chair of the Audit Committee
John joined Hodge’s Board of Directors in March 2017.
He was previously managing director, Treasury at ICBC Standard Bank, a London-based financial markets and commodities bank.
John has spent his entire career in treasury and financial market-related roles, having previously worked at Investec and Bank of New York. John currently holds a full-time executive role at Nordea, based in Copenhagen.
He also serves as a member of the Board Risk Committee and the Nomination Committee for Hodge Board Committees.
Iain Laing
Non-executive director. Chair of the Board Risk Committee
Iain joined the Board of Directors of Hodge in July 2020.
He is currently chief risk officer of Monzo Bank, and prior to joining Monzo, Iain was chief risk officer and a member of the Executive Committees of heylo, TSB Bank and Nationwide Building Society. He was also chief credit officer of Santander UK Retail throughout the 2007 to 2010 financial crisis.
Iain also serves as a member of the Audit Committee and the Remuneration Committee for Hodge Board Committees.
Richard Saulet
Chief executive officer. Executive director
Richard joined the Bank as CEO in February 2026 bringing more than 25 years of experience in financial services leading successful commercial and mortgage lending businesses, product and marketing functions and delivering major transformation and technology programmes.
Most recently, Richard was chief commercial officer at Metro Bank, helping lead the organisation’s transformation to profitability, having previously held senior positions at Virgin Money, RBS and Barclays.
Richard is passionate about growing businesses through strong, empowered teams and creating innovative solutions that deliver for customers. He joins Hodge excited by its heritage, purpose, and people.
Janet Preece
Chief financial officer. Executive director
Jan joined the Board of Directors of Hodge and was appointed chief financial officer in September 2021.
She has a 30-year career in finance having previously held the finance director role for Friends Provident International (part of the Aviva Group).
Prior to Friends Provident International, Jan held several senior finance roles in Aviva, Friends Life Group and Lloyds Banking Group including finance director within the General Insurance Business of Lloyds Banking Group.
Penny Bickerstaff
Senior independent director. Non-executive director. Chair of the Remuneration Committee
Penny joined the Board of Directors of Hodge in September 2022 as senior independent director.
As a former finance director and big four partner, she brings financial, strategy, change and deals experience to the role.
Penny has worked closely with FTSE 100 groups including Barclays, Legal and General and Marks & Spencer, along with UK Government departments on issues including audit, risk, strategy, regulation, change and transformation.
A chartered accountant, Penny also brings some prior board experience to her position, having served on several ICAEW boards and will play a key part in broadening the scope of the Board at Hodge.
Penny also serves as a member of the Audit Committee, the Board Risk Committee, and the Nomination Committee for Hodge Board Committees.
Graham Wheeler
Non-executive director
Graham joined the Board of Directors in June 2024, serving on the Board Risk Committee and Audit Committee.
His career spans over 40 years, almost entirely in the motor finance sector. He led the significant growth of Volkswagen Financial Services UK, VW Bank, VW Insurance, VW Car Rental, and VW Fleet Services as Group CEO for 11 years up to 2016, servicing the brands of Audi, Seat, Skoda, Volkswagen, Porsche, MAN, VW Commercial Vehicles, Bentley, Bugatti and Lamborghini.
He also served on the Executive Board of Volkswagen Group, the UK Importer, and was on the European Supervisory Board for Volkswagen Group.
A strong supporter of the motor industry charity, Graham was a Trustee at BEN Motor Charity for three years, serving on the Audit and Risk Committee.
Most recently as CEO, Graham led Advantage Finance, a non-prime motor finance lender, retiring in early 2024. Additionally, Graham was appointed to the Board of the Finance and Leasing Association as Vice-Chairman of the Motor Finance Division until his retirement.
Ilaria del Beato
Ilaria joined the Board of Directors of Hodge in May 2026, serving on the Audit Committee, Nomination Committee, Remuneration Committee and Board Risk Committee for Hodge Board Committees.
With extensive experience in real estate, real estate finance and specialist lending, Ilaria has held senior leadership roles across sectors including commercial and residential property, hospitality, commercial lending and governance and governance including CEO at Frasers Property UK, CEO at GE Capital UK, a regulated bank, and manging director of GE Real Estate UK.
Alongside her executive career, Ilaria has significant board experience as a non-executive director of FTSE 250 Unite Group plc, where she has served on committees including Nomination, Audit, Health & Safety, Sustainability and Remuneration, supporting strong governance and long-term value creation.
