Executive management team

Mikael Sørensen

Chief Executive Officer

Mikael Sorensen was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Handelsbanken in the UK in September 2016. Before joining the UK bank, Mikael worked in numerous roles and countries across the Handelsbanken Group, including as Branch Manager and Regional Area Manager in Denmark, General Manager in Poland, and as CEO in the Netherlands from 2007 to 2016. Mikael sits on the Board of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce. Mikael enjoys reading, music and modern art as well as finding time to explore the UK countryside.

Martin Björnberg

Chief Financial Officer

Martin has held his current position as Chief Financial Officer for Handelsbanken UK since April 2017. He joined Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ) in 1989 when he started working in the Bank’s branch operations as an account manager, before moving to IT and business development operations where he led improvement and efficiency programmes for the Bank’s retail processes. Between 2002 and 2017, Martin held senior management positions in one of the Swedish regions and was Head of HR for our Swedish regional banks unit in Stockholm. Martin can occasionally be spotted on a tennis court, but is more often seen on a football stand!

Chris Teasdale

Chief Branch Officer

In 2021, Chris was appointed as Chief Branch Officer. Chris has worked at Handelsbanken since 2006, and has undertaken a number of roles within the Bank including that of Branch Manager, Area Manager, Chief Financial Officer, and Regional Head. Before moving to the banking sector, Chris actually started his working life in football. After that, he moved into industry and spent five years as Operations Director for an AIM-listed public company specialising in direct sales. Chris is married with three children, and whilst his children certainly keep him busy, he likes to keep fit and pursue his hobby of running.

Rob Clifford

Chief Digital and Business Transformation Officer

Rob was appointed Chief Digital Officer in January 2024, having spent seven years with Handelsbanken helping to evolve the Bank's digital product proposition and approach. Before joining the Bank, Rob undertook a variety of roles in financial services, building strong experience in Commercial Banking, Channel Distribution and Digital Product. Outside of work, Rob enjoys a busy family life with three young children and likes to spend time outdoors hiking, paddleboarding and marathon running.

Angela Dowd

Chief Product and Sustainability Officer

Angela joined Handelsbanken in 2007, opening Handelsbanken Halifax in 2010. In 2015, Angela became Head of Human Resources before moving into senior leadership roles and latterly working with key regulatory change. She has worked in the banking sector for over 25 years, with experience in corporate, credit and risk management sectors. She has now been appointed as Chief Product and Sustainability Officer and is responsible for leading the UK product portfolio and sustainability function. In 2021 Angela successfully completed a Masters in Business and Administration and when not in work, she enjoys time with her family, walking with her dogs or riding her horses in the Yorkshire countryside.

Matthew Handley

Chief Risk Officer

Matt joined the Bank as Chief Risk Officer in May 2020 and is responsible for leading the Bank’s risk function, defining and overseeing the risk strategies for the bank, encompassing policy, governance, frameworks, analysis and insights. Matt started out in the banking industry in 2001, and has since undertaken a variety of roles in commercial and retail banking in the UK, specialising in Risk Management. Outside of work, Matt can be found rediscovering London's culture and its history, or with his walking boots on exploring the Lake District, Peak District and Snowdonia.

Simon Bradley

Chief Credit Officer

Simon began his banking career back in 1982. In 2011 he joined Handelsbanken as a Corporate Account Manager in his home town of Leicester, progressing to Branch Manager a year later. Subsequently Simon became regional Head of Credit before taking up the role of Chief Credit Officer at the beginning of 2018. After playing rugby union for many years, Simon continues to enjoy the sport, now as a keen spectator.

Anthony Brigginshaw

Chief Information Officer

Anthony was appointed Chief Information Officer of Handelsbanken plc in August 2021, joining us from HSBC, where he oversaw digital retail banking technology and products across 37 international markets. Prior to this, Anthony was responsible for one of the largest and most ambitious digital transformations in Government, overseeing the UK Digital Welfare State, where he was also a digital adviser to Government ministers, departments and Secretary of State. Prior to working in the public and private sectors, Anthony spent several years in telecommunications where he led a number of large-scale, digitally-focused enterprise technology functions. Anthony has a PhD in software engineering. He brings an excellent mix of digital and broader technology transformation experience to Handelsbanken.

Jaimita Tailor

Chief Compliance Officer

Jaimita was appointed as Chief Compliance Officer in May 2022 and is responsible for leading the UK Compliance function at Handelsbanken plc. Jaimita has worked in the compliance sector since 2003, focussing on both UK and international regulation. Jaimita started her compliance career as a regulatory consultant before moving on to lead compliance functions for a number of global financial institutions. Jaimita holds a First Class Hons in International Securities, Investments and Banking from the ICMA Centre. In her spare time Jaimita can be found up a mountain or in a lake – basically anywhere outdoors.

Bernie Charles

Chief Human Resources Officer

Bernie is responsible for Handelsbanken’s Human Resources function in the UK including business partnering, talent management and development, succession planning and reward. Prior to his current role, Bernie was Head of Human Resources and Risk for Handelsbanken Wealth & Asset Management, which Handelsbanken acquired in 2013. Bernie was awarded a Bachelor’s degree in Business Studies from the University of Limerick, Ireland and is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (MCIPD).

Graham Turner

Chief Executive Officer of Handelsbanken Wealth & Asset Management

Graham was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Handelsbanken Wealth & Asset Management Ltd in October 2020, after having worked in the banking sector for more than 35 years. Graham has a wide breadth of experience, working across a variety of customer facing, specialist and leadership roles in London and Birmingham. He can often be found either on his bike or in his walking boots enjoying the countryside with his family.