Home \ Leadership team \ Melanie Lazarus Melanie Lazarus Ecosystem Engagement Director Mel joined OBL in April 2025 to oversee the evolution of a comprehensive engagement strategy with the open banking ecosystem of banks, fintechs, tech providers, trade bodies, major schemes and regulators. She is responsible for stakeholder relationship management, brand development, thought leadership, digital engagement and customer insights. She will also play a pivotal role in supporting OBL’s transition to a future entity. Mel brings over 20 years of experience in the financial services and consumer tech space. Prior to joining OBL, she was Brand & Marketing Strategy Director for Barclaycard Payments, building brand profile and customer engagement with the corporate and small business segments. She has also held strategic marketing leadership positions at Sky, O2 and Samsung. You may also be interested in Press Releases Firms agree to fund key activities to create new company to deliver the initial phase of work for commercial variable recurring payments 02 May 2025 Download Banking Satisfaction Survey The CMA publishes latest Banking Service Quality Indicators 17 Feb 2025 Download Press Releases OBL celebrates seventh anniversary of PSD2 and the creation of open banking 13 Jan 2025 Download
Melanie Lazarus Ecosystem Engagement Director Mel joined OBL in April 2025 to oversee the evolution of a comprehensive engagement strategy with the open banking ecosystem of banks, fintechs, tech providers, trade bodies, major schemes and regulators. She is responsible for stakeholder relationship management, brand development, thought leadership, digital engagement and customer insights. She will also play a pivotal role in supporting OBL’s transition to a future entity. Mel brings over 20 years of experience in the financial services and consumer tech space. Prior to joining OBL, she was Brand & Marketing Strategy Director for Barclaycard Payments, building brand profile and customer engagement with the corporate and small business segments. She has also held strategic marketing leadership positions at Sky, O2 and Samsung.
You may also be interested in Press Releases Firms agree to fund key activities to create new company to deliver the initial phase of work for commercial variable recurring payments 02 May 2025 Download Banking Satisfaction Survey The CMA publishes latest Banking Service Quality Indicators 17 Feb 2025 Download Press Releases OBL celebrates seventh anniversary of PSD2 and the creation of open banking 13 Jan 2025 Download
Press Releases Firms agree to fund key activities to create new company to deliver the initial phase of work for commercial variable recurring payments 02 May 2025 Download
Banking Satisfaction Survey The CMA publishes latest Banking Service Quality Indicators 17 Feb 2025 Download
Press Releases OBL celebrates seventh anniversary of PSD2 and the creation of open banking 13 Jan 2025 Download
Home \ Leadership team \ Raj Sanghera Raj Sanghera Director of Product and Operations Raj is responsible for the development and maintenance of the infrastructure underpinning secure data exchange within the open banking ecosystem. As part of his role, Raj drives product development and innovation, ensuring the UK continues to remain at the forefront of the open banking revolution, as well as maintaining robust, resilient and secure technical operations. Raj joins OBL having spent his previous career across both traditional finance and fintech environments, including cross-border banking, launching a new UK digital bank, and scaling up an international payments business. You may be interested in Report Next steps for commercial variable recurring payments 24 Jul 2025 Download Thought Leadership Event summary: Accelerating open banking and smart data 17 Jul 2025 Download Case studies Snoop budgeting app and savings account aim to help build better savings habits 10 Jul 2025 Download
Raj Sanghera Director of Product and Operations Raj is responsible for the development and maintenance of the infrastructure underpinning secure data exchange within the open banking ecosystem. As part of his role, Raj drives product development and innovation, ensuring the UK continues to remain at the forefront of the open banking revolution, as well as maintaining robust, resilient and secure technical operations. Raj joins OBL having spent his previous career across both traditional finance and fintech environments, including cross-border banking, launching a new UK digital bank, and scaling up an international payments business.
You may be interested in Report Next steps for commercial variable recurring payments 24 Jul 2025 Download Thought Leadership Event summary: Accelerating open banking and smart data 17 Jul 2025 Download Case studies Snoop budgeting app and savings account aim to help build better savings habits 10 Jul 2025 Download
Case studies Snoop budgeting app and savings account aim to help build better savings habits 10 Jul 2025 Download
Home \ Leadership team \ Luke Ryder Luke Ryder Director of Standards, Strategic Policy and Public Affairs Luke is the Director of Standards, Strategic Policy and Public Affairs at Open Banking Limited (OBL). He is responsible for shaping the organisation’s strategy, helping to deliver mass adoption of open banking enabled products and services in the UK, and supporting regulatory and government stakeholders in the development of a sustainable policy environment. As part of his role, Luke oversees the Open Banking Standard, aiding participant firms in growing the open banking ecosystem. He is also accountable for OBL’s monitoring function, ensuring conformance of the CMA9 with the CMA Order; and manages OBL’s Public Affairs activity, coordinating external engagement with Government, political, and regulatory stakeholders. Prior to joining OBL, Luke spent 12 years at Barclays in various roles, including: Head of Government Relations and Policy for its Retail, Payments, and Wealth businesses; Head of Strategic Affairs; and Chief of Staff to the Chairman. He began his career in the UK civil service. You may also be interested in Press Releases Firms agree to fund key activities to create new company to deliver the initial phase of work for commercial variable recurring payments 02 May 2025 Download Banking Satisfaction Survey The CMA publishes latest Banking Service Quality Indicators 17 Feb 2025 Download Press Releases OBL celebrates seventh anniversary of PSD2 and the creation of open banking 13 Jan 2025 Download
Luke Ryder Director of Standards, Strategic Policy and Public Affairs Luke is the Director of Standards, Strategic Policy and Public Affairs at Open Banking Limited (OBL). He is responsible for shaping the organisation’s strategy, helping to deliver mass adoption of open banking enabled products and services in the UK, and supporting regulatory and government stakeholders in the development of a sustainable policy environment. As part of his role, Luke oversees the Open Banking Standard, aiding participant firms in growing the open banking ecosystem. He is also accountable for OBL’s monitoring function, ensuring conformance of the CMA9 with the CMA Order; and manages OBL’s Public Affairs activity, coordinating external engagement with Government, political, and regulatory stakeholders. Prior to joining OBL, Luke spent 12 years at Barclays in various roles, including: Head of Government Relations and Policy for its Retail, Payments, and Wealth businesses; Head of Strategic Affairs; and Chief of Staff to the Chairman. He began his career in the UK civil service.
You may also be interested in Press Releases Firms agree to fund key activities to create new company to deliver the initial phase of work for commercial variable recurring payments 02 May 2025 Download Banking Satisfaction Survey The CMA publishes latest Banking Service Quality Indicators 17 Feb 2025 Download Press Releases OBL celebrates seventh anniversary of PSD2 and the creation of open banking 13 Jan 2025 Download
Press Releases Firms agree to fund key activities to create new company to deliver the initial phase of work for commercial variable recurring payments 02 May 2025 Download
Banking Satisfaction Survey The CMA publishes latest Banking Service Quality Indicators 17 Feb 2025 Download
Press Releases OBL celebrates seventh anniversary of PSD2 and the creation of open banking 13 Jan 2025 Download
Home \ Leadership team \ Debbie Lombard Debbie Lombard People & HR Director Debbie joined OBL in February 2022 to focus on developing the organisation’s people proposition, and enhance human resources (HR) practices and workplace culture. She oversees a wide range of HR functions, including talent acquisition, employee engagement, performance management, compensation and benefits, and diversity and inclusion, to align with the organisation’s strategic goals. Prior to joining OBL, Debbie spent more than 15 years as the Chief HR Officer at Vocalink, a Mastercard company, where she played a key role in developing the company’s HR strategy and aligning it with Vocalink’s overall business goals. Read more from Debbie Lombard Article How open banking can help the public sector cut costs 17 May 2024 Download Press Releases Save smarter and faster with open banking 31 Oct 2023 Download Thought Leadership ‘Smart Data: Unleashing the full potential of open banking’ – event round-up 23 Feb 2024 Download
Debbie Lombard People & HR Director Debbie joined OBL in February 2022 to focus on developing the organisation’s people proposition, and enhance human resources (HR) practices and workplace culture. She oversees a wide range of HR functions, including talent acquisition, employee engagement, performance management, compensation and benefits, and diversity and inclusion, to align with the organisation’s strategic goals. Prior to joining OBL, Debbie spent more than 15 years as the Chief HR Officer at Vocalink, a Mastercard company, where she played a key role in developing the company’s HR strategy and aligning it with Vocalink’s overall business goals.
Read more from Debbie Lombard Article How open banking can help the public sector cut costs 17 May 2024 Download Press Releases Save smarter and faster with open banking 31 Oct 2023 Download Thought Leadership ‘Smart Data: Unleashing the full potential of open banking’ – event round-up 23 Feb 2024 Download
Thought Leadership ‘Smart Data: Unleashing the full potential of open banking’ – event round-up 23 Feb 2024 Download
Home \ Leadership team \ Gary Lowe Gary Lowe Finance Director Gary joined OBL in June 2022 to oversee the organisation’s finances, supplier management and procurement. He is responsible for the OBL’s financial controls, procurement, and supplier management, as well as the Programme Management Office and Change teams. Gary brings over 15 years of senior executive experience in IT and security technology-related industries, after starting his career in financial services at EY. As a chartered accountant and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, he developed his financial expertise in both private and publicly listed environments. You may also be interested in Press Releases Firms agree to fund key activities to create new company to deliver the initial phase of work for commercial variable recurring payments 02 May 2025 Download Banking Satisfaction Survey The CMA publishes latest Banking Service Quality Indicators 17 Feb 2025 Download Press Releases OBL celebrates seventh anniversary of PSD2 and the creation of open banking 13 Jan 2025 Download
Gary Lowe Finance Director Gary joined OBL in June 2022 to oversee the organisation’s finances, supplier management and procurement. He is responsible for the OBL’s financial controls, procurement, and supplier management, as well as the Programme Management Office and Change teams. Gary brings over 15 years of senior executive experience in IT and security technology-related industries, after starting his career in financial services at EY. As a chartered accountant and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, he developed his financial expertise in both private and publicly listed environments.
You may also be interested in Press Releases Firms agree to fund key activities to create new company to deliver the initial phase of work for commercial variable recurring payments 02 May 2025 Download Banking Satisfaction Survey The CMA publishes latest Banking Service Quality Indicators 17 Feb 2025 Download Press Releases OBL celebrates seventh anniversary of PSD2 and the creation of open banking 13 Jan 2025 Download
Press Releases Firms agree to fund key activities to create new company to deliver the initial phase of work for commercial variable recurring payments 02 May 2025 Download
Banking Satisfaction Survey The CMA publishes latest Banking Service Quality Indicators 17 Feb 2025 Download
Press Releases OBL celebrates seventh anniversary of PSD2 and the creation of open banking 13 Jan 2025 Download
Home \ Leadership team \ Mark Bishop Mark Bishop Legal/Risk/Controls Assurance Director Mark joined OBL in 2019 to support the delivery of the CMA Roadmap, focusing on security, counter fraud and supplier management. He leads the Legal, Enterprise Risk Management and Monitoring teams at the organisation and provides second line defence oversight to the Board and external stakeholders, including the CMA and CMA9, to ensure the organisation remains resilient as it transitions to a Future Entity. Prior to joining OBL, Mark was Chief Risk Officer at Vocalink, a Mastercard company, where he was instrumental in facilitating the change of ownership to Mastercard. Mark has also held senior risk and governance roles at Barclays. You may also be interested in Press Releases Firms agree to fund key activities to create new company to deliver the initial phase of work for commercial variable recurring payments 02 May 2025 Download Banking Satisfaction Survey The CMA publishes latest Banking Service Quality Indicators 17 Feb 2025 Download Press Releases OBL celebrates seventh anniversary of PSD2 and the creation of open banking 13 Jan 2025 Download
Mark Bishop Legal/Risk/Controls Assurance Director Mark joined OBL in 2019 to support the delivery of the CMA Roadmap, focusing on security, counter fraud and supplier management. He leads the Legal, Enterprise Risk Management and Monitoring teams at the organisation and provides second line defence oversight to the Board and external stakeholders, including the CMA and CMA9, to ensure the organisation remains resilient as it transitions to a Future Entity. Prior to joining OBL, Mark was Chief Risk Officer at Vocalink, a Mastercard company, where he was instrumental in facilitating the change of ownership to Mastercard. Mark has also held senior risk and governance roles at Barclays.
You may also be interested in Press Releases Firms agree to fund key activities to create new company to deliver the initial phase of work for commercial variable recurring payments 02 May 2025 Download Banking Satisfaction Survey The CMA publishes latest Banking Service Quality Indicators 17 Feb 2025 Download Press Releases OBL celebrates seventh anniversary of PSD2 and the creation of open banking 13 Jan 2025 Download
Press Releases Firms agree to fund key activities to create new company to deliver the initial phase of work for commercial variable recurring payments 02 May 2025 Download
Banking Satisfaction Survey The CMA publishes latest Banking Service Quality Indicators 17 Feb 2025 Download
Press Releases OBL celebrates seventh anniversary of PSD2 and the creation of open banking 13 Jan 2025 Download
Home \ Leadership team \ Danh Nguyen Danh Nguyen General Counsel Danh joined OBL as General Counsel in March 2024 to oversee the Legal and Regulatory function. He and his team of legal professionals provide legal advice and guidance to all departments on the application of laws and regulations relevant to OBL’s operations. They support regulatory compliance and outreach initiatives, assist in contract drafting, negotiation and review, and support the resolution of legal disputes and customer complaints. In addition, he advises the Board on effective governance, regulatory compliance and other strategic matters impacting the organisation’s operations, particularly as it enters the next phase of its evolution. Before joining OBL, Danh held several leadership positions, including as Group General Counsel of fintech firm, Paysend, and General Counsel for Western Union (APAC). You may also be interested in Press Releases Firms agree to fund key activities to create new company to deliver the initial phase of work for commercial variable recurring payments 02 May 2025 Download Banking Satisfaction Survey The CMA publishes latest Banking Service Quality Indicators 17 Feb 2025 Download Press Releases OBL celebrates seventh anniversary of PSD2 and the creation of open banking 13 Jan 2025 Download
Danh Nguyen General Counsel Danh joined OBL as General Counsel in March 2024 to oversee the Legal and Regulatory function. He and his team of legal professionals provide legal advice and guidance to all departments on the application of laws and regulations relevant to OBL’s operations. They support regulatory compliance and outreach initiatives, assist in contract drafting, negotiation and review, and support the resolution of legal disputes and customer complaints. In addition, he advises the Board on effective governance, regulatory compliance and other strategic matters impacting the organisation’s operations, particularly as it enters the next phase of its evolution. Before joining OBL, Danh held several leadership positions, including as Group General Counsel of fintech firm, Paysend, and General Counsel for Western Union (APAC).
You may also be interested in Press Releases Firms agree to fund key activities to create new company to deliver the initial phase of work for commercial variable recurring payments 02 May 2025 Download Banking Satisfaction Survey The CMA publishes latest Banking Service Quality Indicators 17 Feb 2025 Download Press Releases OBL celebrates seventh anniversary of PSD2 and the creation of open banking 13 Jan 2025 Download
Press Releases Firms agree to fund key activities to create new company to deliver the initial phase of work for commercial variable recurring payments 02 May 2025 Download
Banking Satisfaction Survey The CMA publishes latest Banking Service Quality Indicators 17 Feb 2025 Download
Press Releases OBL celebrates seventh anniversary of PSD2 and the creation of open banking 13 Jan 2025 Download
Home \ Leadership team \ Richard Newman Richard Newman Corporate Affairs Director Richard joined OBL as Chief of Staff in December 2020 to provide dedicated support and advice to the Trustee, Board and CEO, and was subsequently appointed as Corporate Affairs Director to manage all external and internal communications. He is also responsible for leading the organisation’s stakeholder relations, working closely with MPs, government departments and regulators, to ensure that the UK’s regulatory-driven approach to open banking continues to drive innovation and deliver benefits to consumers and businesses. Prior to this, he was Head of Regulatory Relations and External Affairs at the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission, and VP of Regulatory Relations at Barclays. He has also held press office and secretariat roles at the Bank of England and the Prudential Regulation Authority and was an advisor in the European Parliament and House of Commons. Read more from Richard Newman Article How open banking can help the public sector cut costs 17 May 2024 Download Guides Guide to buying and renting property with open banking 14 May 2024 Download Thought Leadership Open banking: a plug and play solution to responsible gambling 28 Sep 2023 Download
Richard Newman Corporate Affairs Director Richard joined OBL as Chief of Staff in December 2020 to provide dedicated support and advice to the Trustee, Board and CEO, and was subsequently appointed as Corporate Affairs Director to manage all external and internal communications. He is also responsible for leading the organisation’s stakeholder relations, working closely with MPs, government departments and regulators, to ensure that the UK’s regulatory-driven approach to open banking continues to drive innovation and deliver benefits to consumers and businesses. Prior to this, he was Head of Regulatory Relations and External Affairs at the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission, and VP of Regulatory Relations at Barclays. He has also held press office and secretariat roles at the Bank of England and the Prudential Regulation Authority and was an advisor in the European Parliament and House of Commons.
Read more from Richard Newman Article How open banking can help the public sector cut costs 17 May 2024 Download Guides Guide to buying and renting property with open banking 14 May 2024 Download Thought Leadership Open banking: a plug and play solution to responsible gambling 28 Sep 2023 Download
Thought Leadership Open banking: a plug and play solution to responsible gambling 28 Sep 2023 Download
Home \ Leadership team \ Marion King Marion King Chair and Trustee Marion was appointed Chair and Trustee of OBL in February 2023. Her priorities are to maintain and protect the CMA Order, and work with key stakeholders and the JROC, to promote the adoption and growth of open banking. She will oversee the transition to a Future Entity that will be at the heart of the transformation to an economically sustainable and scalable open banking ecosystem. She has a portfolio of non-executive positions including Non-Executive Director at Bibby Financial Services and Chair of the Payments Association Advisory Board. She is also a member of Pennies Payments Advisory Board and a trustee of the MS Society. Marion was previously Director of Payments at NatWest Group and President of MasterCard UK & Ireland. Prior to that she was the Chief Executive Officer of Vocalink – a specialist payments partner to banks, corporate partners and government departments Read more from Marion King JROC JROC’s proposal for the design of the future entity for UK open banking – Response from OBL 23 May 2024 Download JROC Trustee response to JROC’s call for views on the design of the Future Entity 19 Apr 2024 Download Thought Leadership OBL Trustee responds to PSR’s Call for Views on the expansion of VRPs 15 Feb 2024 Download Trustee Trustee Statement – JROC Report April 2023 17 Apr 2023 Download Press Releases Marion King appointed as new Chair and Trustee of the Open Banking Implementation Entity 24 Jan 2023 Download
Marion King Chair and Trustee Marion was appointed Chair and Trustee of OBL in February 2023. Her priorities are to maintain and protect the CMA Order, and work with key stakeholders and the JROC, to promote the adoption and growth of open banking. She will oversee the transition to a Future Entity that will be at the heart of the transformation to an economically sustainable and scalable open banking ecosystem. She has a portfolio of non-executive positions including Non-Executive Director at Bibby Financial Services and Chair of the Payments Association Advisory Board. She is also a member of Pennies Payments Advisory Board and a trustee of the MS Society. Marion was previously Director of Payments at NatWest Group and President of MasterCard UK & Ireland. Prior to that she was the Chief Executive Officer of Vocalink – a specialist payments partner to banks, corporate partners and government departments
Read more from Marion King JROC JROC’s proposal for the design of the future entity for UK open banking – Response from OBL 23 May 2024 Download JROC Trustee response to JROC’s call for views on the design of the Future Entity 19 Apr 2024 Download Thought Leadership OBL Trustee responds to PSR’s Call for Views on the expansion of VRPs 15 Feb 2024 Download Trustee Trustee Statement – JROC Report April 2023 17 Apr 2023 Download Press Releases Marion King appointed as new Chair and Trustee of the Open Banking Implementation Entity 24 Jan 2023 Download
JROC JROC’s proposal for the design of the future entity for UK open banking – Response from OBL 23 May 2024 Download
JROC Trustee response to JROC’s call for views on the design of the Future Entity 19 Apr 2024 Download
Thought Leadership OBL Trustee responds to PSR’s Call for Views on the expansion of VRPs 15 Feb 2024 Download
Press Releases Marion King appointed as new Chair and Trustee of the Open Banking Implementation Entity 24 Jan 2023 Download
Home \ Leadership team \ Henk Van Hulle Henk Van Hulle CEO Henk was appointed CEO in January 2022 to implement an effective and appropriate governance and management framework for the organisation, and to manage the delivery of the CMA Roadmap and the operations of OBL. He is now leading the next phase of the development of open banking as it moves to a new regulatory framework and Future Entity. Henk joined OBL from Post Office Ltd, where he had over nine years’ experience in senior roles in innovation, including Managing Director of Digital Services and as Deputy CEO, Financial Services and Telecoms. He has considerable expertise in managing profitable, consumer-focused blue chip and start-up firms, including senior roles at Egg PLC, Prudential UK, and Belgian internet bank Beobank. Read more from Henk Van Hulle Thought Leadership Event round-up: OBL’s regional visit to the North East, in partnership with Sage 19 Apr 2024 Download Thought Leadership OBL at Open Banking Expo 2023 – show highlights 24 Oct 2023 Download Thought Leadership Unlock your savings potential with open banking this UK Savings Week 21 Sep 2023 Download Press Releases The OBIE appoints new CEO to provide strategic, financial and operational leadership 03 Feb 2022 Download
Henk Van Hulle CEO Henk was appointed CEO in January 2022 to implement an effective and appropriate governance and management framework for the organisation, and to manage the delivery of the CMA Roadmap and the operations of OBL. He is now leading the next phase of the development of open banking as it moves to a new regulatory framework and Future Entity. Henk joined OBL from Post Office Ltd, where he had over nine years’ experience in senior roles in innovation, including Managing Director of Digital Services and as Deputy CEO, Financial Services and Telecoms. He has considerable expertise in managing profitable, consumer-focused blue chip and start-up firms, including senior roles at Egg PLC, Prudential UK, and Belgian internet bank Beobank.
Read more from Henk Van Hulle Thought Leadership Event round-up: OBL’s regional visit to the North East, in partnership with Sage 19 Apr 2024 Download Thought Leadership OBL at Open Banking Expo 2023 – show highlights 24 Oct 2023 Download Thought Leadership Unlock your savings potential with open banking this UK Savings Week 21 Sep 2023 Download Press Releases The OBIE appoints new CEO to provide strategic, financial and operational leadership 03 Feb 2022 Download
Thought Leadership Event round-up: OBL’s regional visit to the North East, in partnership with Sage 19 Apr 2024 Download
Thought Leadership Unlock your savings potential with open banking this UK Savings Week 21 Sep 2023 Download
Press Releases The OBIE appoints new CEO to provide strategic, financial and operational leadership 03 Feb 2022 Download