About us
The Castle Community Bank StoryWho are we?
We’re a credit union dedicated to bringing people an alternative home for their savings and loans.
Where it all started
Things work a little differently at Castle Community Bank. We don’t have mysterious shareholders. Instead, we’re owned and run by our members, creating a shared financial community across the UK, which is accessible to everyone.
Community
Community is something we strongly believe in; banking doesn’t have to be done with a massive corporation. Instead, we take away the barriers. We’re bringing the focus back to helping people, so we strive to be accessible, applicable and affordable for all of our customers. You are the reason we exist.
We have a range of saving and loan options available depending on what you need, and unlike many credit unions, you don’t have to save first to apply for a loan.
Our Focus
Accessible
We have to be accessible to people in a way that suits them; be it 24/7 online, face to face in branch or during the day over the phone.
Affordable
Core to our ethos is lending at fair, affordable rates and doing so responsibly.
Applicable
We have to offer a range of prodcuts to suit our member’s needs. Whether it’s an emergency loan to fix a broken washing machine, a fixed rate savings account for those who are looking for more for their money, or a loan for £7,000 for a new kitchen. Whatever it is everything we offer is simple no-nonsense.
Ethical Banking
Maintaining this focus will ensure that Castle Community Bank is a financially strong and sustainable organisation – making a difference by delivering economic and social benefits to people who live or work within the ‘EH’ postcode area. We want to promote financial inclusion and end financial exploitation.
The Team at Castle Community Bank
At Castle Community Bank, our team are always here to ensure you receive friendly and professional service.
Whether you are you looking to start saving, investing money for the long term in our fixed accounts or looking to borrow money, Castle Community Bank is well placed to help you.
Stephen Pearson
Chairman
Stephen is an experienced non-executive director and during his career has gained considerable insight into retail banking and the not-for-profit sectors, alongside his legal experience.
Formerly a lawyer in the City of London, Stephen has led legal teams at both the RBS Group and Virgin Money, where he was General Counsel.
A long-time advocate for Financial Inclusion, Stephen is the chair of Financial Inclusion for Scotland, a strategic collective set up by Social Investment Scotland. In addition, he is Chair of the well-respected charity Leuchie House, which is Scotland’s national Respite Care service for people with neurological conditions and their carers.
Adrian Sargent
Chief Executive Officer & Board Member
Adrian has a career in banking spanning over 20 years in senior roles at a number of financial services companies (Morgan Stanley, HBOS, Tesco Bank, BlackRock, Virgin Money).
He has extensive experience in building, developing and managing banking teams, problem solving and aligning to regulatory requirements.
He has a passion for all related items to the Environment, Social and Governance matters and alongside his role at Castle Community Bank actively promotes and contributes to developing a sustainable economy. Adrian is a Chartered Accountant and Fellow of the Association of Corporate Treasurers.
Douglas Reid
Board Member
Douglas came to live in Edinburgh from the Highlands when studying law at the University of Edinburgh.
He has advised individuals, companies, families and businesses throughout his career on common sense solutions, as well as negotiating the legal landscape.
As well as being a busy husband and father, Douglas also serves as a Charity trustee. In the unlikely event of having any free time, Douglas likes to get some sleep.
Kevin Mountford
Board Member
Over the last 30 years Kevin has operated in a range of Senior Management & Exec roles and he has been employed by a number of large UK Financial Institutions including Bank of Scotland, Halifax and Birmingham Midshires, where he was Head of Sales and Marketing for their Savings business.
In Jan 2011 Kevin took up the reins at a start-up consultancy & marketing business; Plan B Funding who specialised in assisting banks to raise retail deposits in the UK and wider Euro market. Not only did Kevin assist in raising investment capital but has steered the company towards several early successes working with the likes of United National Bank and State Bank of India.
Since then Kevin led negotiations with Raisin GmbH and a deal was announced Sept 2017. Also Plan B Funding is now part of one of Europe’s leading Fintech businesses. In addition Kevin has Non Executive Director roles with North West based businesses: Mutual Vision Ltd & Collctiv, plus is an Advisory Board member of FinTech North.
Mary Jane Brouwers
Board Member
Mary Jane has held a number of non-executive director roles over the last 20 years. She is currently a non-executive director of Mint Ventures Associates Limited, a business angel group investing in early-stage, women-led companies, and a co-opted Member of Court at the University of Glasgow where she is a member of the Finance Committee. She was a director and trustee of Museums Galleries Scotland, 2019-2023, where she chaired the Audit and Risk Committee.
Mary Jane has been working in early-stage equity investments since joining Bank of Scotland Growth Equity in 1997 and has subsequently worked with a range of different investors including Social Investment Scotland Ventures, where she was a member of the Investment Committee, Archangel Investors Limited, and the Scottish Investment Bank. Mary Jane is an Associate of Gearing for Growth, and a member of Changing the Chemistry and the Institute of Directors.
Suzanne Gush
Chief Financial Officer & Board Member
Suzanne came to live in Edinburgh from Manchester after first training as a Management Accountant at Ball Packaging Europe and working in multiple roles across several manufacturing companies. During this time, Suzanne worked on a number of mergers and acquisitions and company transformation projects. Her move to Scotland provided the opportunity to join the Royal Bank of Scotland where she held various senior roles. She went on to work for Virgin Money within the team responsible for the acquisition of Northern Rock, moving onto serving as the Group Financial Planning Director post integration.
Suzanne took an extended career break before joining Castle Community Bank as the Chief Financial Officer in October 2022. Additionally, Suzanne is a trustee on the Board of Leuchie, a Scottish respite charity.
John Grierson
Chief Risk Officer
John is a senior risk professional with extensive banking experience in change and operational risk management.
He has proven relationship management skills, communication and coaching ability built through various roles in RBS, Tesco Bank and Virgin Money.
Margaret Strachan
Chief Operating Officer
A banker by profession, Margaret has over 20 years’ experience working in the financial sector latterly holding a senior post with Lloyds Banking Group. Margaret brings to Castle Community Bank a wide range of financial skills and customer experience.
Being committed to customer service Margaret strives to deliver the best options for her customers.
Rob Carmichael
Director of Business Development
Rob is an experienced corporate banker, having spent over 30 years in the industry. He has worked across a range of sectors and geographies, managing teams and supporting clients in the UK, Europe and Asia.
Rob has a strong focus on client service and enhancing the customer experience.
With extensive knowledge of organisational change and project management Rob is passionate in delivering a best in class service for his customers in a rapidly changing environment.
Robbie Denoon
Chief of Staff
Robbie has over 15 years’ experience in Financial Services mainly covering Retail Banking and General Insurance.
As a trained economist he spent the early part of his career advising on consumer trends and the housing market.
With a breadth of experience gained from working in strategy, commercial and communications teams, he has designed and led a range of transformation programmes to deliver new technology, ways of working and enhanced customer experiences.
Annual General Meeting 2025
Tuesday 11th March 2025 – 2.00pm
On behalf of the Board of Directors you are invited to attend the AGM. This meeting will be held online using Microsoft Teams. To obtain your online invitation with meeting links, please respond by email to admin@castlecommunitybank.co.uk, to confirm your attendance.
Should you be unable to attend a Proxy voting form is held on our website www.castlecommunitybank.co.uk. Please ensure if you wish to vote without attending, this is completed and returned before Monday 10th March 2025 at 5pm.
Copies of the signed Accounts to 30th September 2024, and any other papers for the AGM, will also be available on our website for you to review before the meeting. I look forward to welcoming you to this meeting and introducing you to the staff and Directors.