Starling Bank names new chief risk officer amid compliance overhaul
Starling Bank has appointed a new chief risk officer as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen its risk management. Keith Algie will take over from Cyrille Salle De Chou, who has led the bank's risk strategy for the past two years. The change comes after Starling faced a £29 million fine for financial crime failings in its sanctions screening.
Cyrille Salle De Chou joined Starling in February 2024 after working at HSBC for seven years and RateSetter for six months. Over the last two years, she led a programme to scale the bank's risk controls and embed risk management into its culture. Her appointment followed a period in which Starling opened over 54,000 accounts for 49,000 high-risk customers between September 2021 and November 2023.
Keith Algie will officially become chief risk officer once regulatory approval is secured. He brings more than 20 years of experience, including roles as ANZ's chief risk officer for Europe and the Americas and acting group chief compliance officer. This month, he began a handover process and joined Starling's executive committee. The bank's recent moves also include a brand refresh and plans for a major UK customer acquisition programme. Meanwhile, its Software-as-a-Service division, Engine by Starling, has secured new clients in Canada and New Zealand.
Starling's leadership transition aims to reinforce its risk framework after past regulatory issues. The bank continues to expand its services while addressing compliance challenges. Algie's appointment signals a focus on maintaining robust risk oversight as the company grows.
