WE OPERATE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST TO PROVIDE THE UK’s MAIN CASH MACHINE NETWORK
Governance
We operate in the public interest, to provide the UK’s main cash machine network and secure cash access across the country. Our Board is independent, and our work is regulated by the Bank of England, Payment Systems Regulator and the Financial Conduct Authority.
Who owns LINK?
We are owned by our Members: the UK’s main banks and building societies and cash machine operators. We are funded by our members, but operate independently of them. Our members sign up to a Members’ Agreement, which sets out how we take decisions and run the scheme.
How is LINK Regulated?
Consumer Input
Our work impacts millions of consumers across the UK. That’s why we have two independent panels to make sure we are putting their interests first. The Consumer Council scrutinises our work on financial inclusion, while the Community Cash Advisory Panel ensures we are working effectively as the co-ordinating body for bank branch closures.
Transparency
We are committed to working transparently, and publish a huge range of data about the ATM network, how we manage it, and how we are governed.
Our Board
Our Executive Team
LINK’s senior management team operates the business day-to-day. They bring a wealth of experience to their roles and a shared commitment to access to cash.
John Howells
Director and Chief Executive Officer
John is CEO of Link Scheme Holdings Ltd and an Executive Director. He is also a Commissioner for the Financial Inclusion Commission, and a Non- Executive Director and Chair of the Risk Committee for MedCo, the medical report system. Prior to LINK, John held a number of senior roles with Gemini Consulting and Capgemini. His early career was with Lloyds Bank.
Adrian Roberts
Deputy CEO
Adrian is the Deputy CEO at LINK. Prior to joining LINK, he was the Director of the ATM business at Bank of Ireland and before that held various senior executive roles at Nationwide Building Society. Adrian is a former LINK Board Director.
Chris Ashton
Chief Commercial Officer
Chris is responsible for innovation and development of industry structure for LINK. Prior to joining LINK, he was the Senior Manager for the Community Access to Cash Pilots, that successfully created and trialled the Banking Hub model.
Deanne Clifton
Chief Operating Officer
Deanne is responsible for LINK’s operational services and performance of its payment system. Prior to joining LINK, she was a Director at EY in its Financial Services practice leading regulatory and technology transformation programmes.
Mike Knight
Finance Director
Mike is a qualified Chartered Accountant and has an extensive business career in both SMEs and large corporates.
Graham Mott
Director of Strategy
Graham is LINK’s Strategy Director, responsible for market analysis, industry and Member engagement, PR, cross-industry fraud management and tackling physical ATM crime. He was formerly Head of ATMs at Santander.
Tom Sleight
Chief Risk Officer
Tom heads the Second Line Risk and Compliance function, and is responsible for risk management, regulatory compliance, policy management, third party management, business resilience and data protection (acting as LINK’s Data Protection Officer). He is a qualified solicitor with over 20 years’ regulatory experience.
Sue Wallace
Chief Scheme Development Officer
Sue is LINK’s Chief Scheme Development Officer and has over 40 years’ experience of working in payments, having previously held senior roles at Barclaycard and Vocalink and now specialising in scheme governance and development.
Board Committees
LINK governance scheme
The companies
The Operator (as defined in the Banking Act) of the LINK Scheme is Link Scheme Holdings Ltd, a company limited by guarantee (company number 10535808). LINK's contractual arrangements rest with a separate company, Link Scheme Ltd (company number 08774124), a company limited by shares, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Link Scheme Holdings Ltd. In practice, the two companies operate as a single entity each with same Board of Directors and the same Executive Team.
Responsibilities of Network Members and of the Board
The Network Members of the Scheme sign a Members' Agreement, which sets out the rules of the Scheme and responsibility for taking decisions, and a Switching and Settlement Agreement, which governs the mechanics of the Scheme and to which the infrastructure provider, Vocalink, is also a party.
The Board publishes an Annual Report and Annual Statutory Accounts.
The Board and the Network Members have a Policy on the publication of minutes of meetings. All the relevant minutes are available here.
Audit Committee
The Terms of Reference of the Audit Committee are here.
The Audit Committee currently comprises:
- David Rigney (Chair)
- John Gill
- Bill Raynal
- Chris Davis
Remuneration Committee
The terms of Reference of the Remuneration Committee are here.
The Remuneration Committee currently comprises:
- John Gill (Chair)
- Sir Mark Boleat
- David Rigney
- Alison Cottrell
- Bill Raynal
Nomination Committee
The terms of Reference of the Nomination Committee are here.
The Nomination Committee currently comprises:
- John Gill (Chair)
- Sir Mark Boleat
- David Rigney
- Alison Cottrell
- Bill Raynal
Risk Committee
The terms of Reference of the Risk Committee are here.
The Risk Committee currently comprises:
- Chris Davis (Chair)
- John Gill
- Sir Mark Boleat
- Sushil Saluja
- David Rigney
LINK Consumer Council
The Terms of Reference of the Consumer Council are here.
Its Chair is Tracey Graham.
Find out more about the work of the Consumer Council and read its Annual Report here.