Vanquis Banking Group plc (VANQ) has announced the appointment of John Natalizia as Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Ian McLaughlin who left the business on 10 November 2026. Natalizia, who co-founded the fintech Snoop and joined Vanquis following its acquisition in July 2023, has been serving as Deputy CEO since April 2026. The appointment is subject to regulatory approval, and Natalizia joins the Board with immediate effect following a comprehensive executive search process led by the Board.

Key Points

  • Vanquis Banking Group plc (VANQ) — UK-listed specialist bank serving underserved consumer credit customers
  • John Natalizia appointed CEO, succeeding Ian McLaughlin who departed the Board effective 10 November 2026
  • Appointment subject to regulatory approval; Natalizia joins the Board with immediate effect
  • Investors will be watching Natalizia's execution of the Gateway transformation programme and progress on delivering sustainable shareholder returns

Ian McLaughlin Departs Vanquis Board After September 2026 Resignation Announcement

Ian McLaughlin's intention to step down as CEO was first disclosed on 11 September 2026, with the Board subsequently conducting what it described as a comprehensive and rigorous executive search to identify his successor. McLaughlin has now formally left the business and stepped down from the Board, with his departure taking effect on 10 November 2026. The announcement does not detail the circumstances surrounding his original decision to leave, nor does it disclose any financial settlement or departure terms connected to his exit from the Group.

John Natalizia's Background: From Snoop Co-Founder to Vanquis Deputy CEO

Natalizia brings over 25 years of banking experience to the role, encompassing senior commercial, digital, operational, and transformation positions at Virgin Money and MBNA. At Virgin Money, he was responsible for building, migrating, and launching its credit card business, whilst at MBNA he led the strategic transformation of its credit card division. He joined Vanquis in July 2023 following the Group's acquisition of uSnoop Limited, trading as Snoop, a fintech company he co-founded. He has been a member of the Group Executive Committee since that date and was appointed Deputy CEO in April 2026, holding executive responsibility for the Group's product offerings and technology and change delivery.

Gateway Transformation Programme and Execution Focus Under New Leadership

Natalizia has had direct executive responsibility for the Gateway transformation programme, Vanquis's technology modernisation initiative, positioning him as a natural continuation of the Group's ongoing operational overhaul. In comments included within the announcement, Natalizia stated that his priority is firmly on execution, with an emphasis on serving customers responsibly amid cost-of-living pressures, improving efficiency, and ensuring growth and investment translate into sustainable returns for shareholders. The announcement states the Board believes he has the required commercial focus and understanding of the business to lead Vanquis in its next phase.

Regulatory Approval Required Before Natalizia's CEO Role Is Formally Confirmed

Whilst Natalizia has joined the Vanquis Board with immediate effect, the announcement confirms that his appointment as CEO remains subject to regulatory approval, a standard requirement for senior banking roles under UK financial services regulation. Investors may be watching for confirmation of that approval, particularly given Vanquis's position as a specialist lender serving customers whose credit needs are not always met by mainstream providers — a segment that attracts close scrutiny from the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.