Santander UK Executive and Leadership Team

May, 2026

Leadership Overview

Santander UK has 8 executives leading key functions including technology, finance, and operations.

Driven by a commitment to innovation, Santander UK provides comprehensive banking services, offering tailored financial solutions to support business growth and international expansion through extensive local networks and sector expertise.

Leadership Roles at Santander UK

  • Chief Financial Officer - Carlos Polo
  • Chief Financial Officer & Co-founder - Michelle Yanez
  • Division Chief Financial Officer, Md Consumer Finance Banco Santander (Asia) - Michele Di Rauso
  • Chief Information Officer - Ignacio Sarquis
  • Data Ai, Openbank & Santander Chief of Staff (US) - Ray Gill
  • Global Chief Technology Officer, Digital Consumer Bank - Ian Simpson
  • Associate III, Chief of Staff SCIB - Yamilet Labra
  • Jefe Operativo - Segundo Salazar
  • Carlos Polo - Chief Financial Officer

    Carlos Polo, the Chief Financial Officer at Santander UK, manages the financial health and strategic fiscal planning for the organization. Polo oversees all financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting, ensuring the bank's stability and profitability. This critical role involves identifying and securing a range of financing options suited to both short-term and long-term business needs, directly supporting clients' ambitions to grow beyond traditional markets. The Chief Financial Officer's expertise is vital in navigating the complexities of the financial sector, providing insights that drive informed decision-making across all departments. Carlos Polo's leadership ensures that Santander UK can effectively allocate resources to support international trade plans and help clients achieve international success. By maintaining rigorous financial controls and exploring innovative funding strategies, Polo enables the bank to act as a trusted partner for businesses seeking prosperity and expansion, leveraging extensive local networks and global knowledge.
    Carlos Polo

    Michelle Yanez - Chief Financial Officer & Co-founder

    Michelle Yanez, the Chief Financial Officer & Co-founder at Santander UK, provides strategic financial leadership and operational oversight. Yanez is instrumental in shaping the company's financial direction, managing fiscal resources, and ensuring the viability of financial products and services offered to clients. This role is critical in identifying and structuring a range of financing options to meet both short-term and long-term business needs, directly supporting the company's mission to bring a fresh perspective to businesses with ambitions to grow beyond traditional markets. The Chief Financial Officer's expertise guides investment decisions and risk management, ensuring the bank's sustained growth and profitability. Michelle Yanez's financial acumen is key to supporting international trade plans and uncovering paths to international success for clients, leveraging the bank's extensive local networks and global knowledge. By driving sound financial practices, Yanez helps clients prosper and turn aspirations into reality.
    Michelle Yanez

    Michele Di Rauso - Division Chief Financial Officer, Md Consumer Finance Banco Santander (Asia)

    Michele Di Rauso, the Division Chief Financial Officer, Md Consumer Finance Banco Santander (Asia) at Santander UK, directs financial strategy and operations for consumer finance across Asian markets. Di Rauso oversees financial planning, performance management, and capital allocation to drive growth and profitability within the region. This leadership role is essential for tailoring financial solutions to meet the diverse needs of consumers and businesses in Asia, supporting the company's mission to bring a fresh perspective to businesses with ambitions to grow beyond traditional markets. The Division Chief Financial Officer's deep understanding of regional financial dynamics is critical for navigating market complexities and identifying opportunities. Michele Di Rauso's financial oversight is key to supporting international trade plans and uncovering paths to international success for clients operating in or expanding into Asia. By ensuring robust financial management, Di Rauso helps clients prosper and achieve their growth aspirations.

    Ignacio Sarquis - Chief Information Officer

    Ignacio Sarquis, the Chief Information Officer at Santander UK, directs the bank's technology infrastructure and digital transformation initiatives. Sarquis oversees the development and implementation of IT strategies that support day-to-day banking operations, including credit card processing and bill payments. This leadership role ensures the technological backbone of Santander UK is robust, secure, and scalable, enabling the company to offer fresh perspectives to businesses aiming for growth beyond traditional markets. By managing the bank's information systems, Ignacio Sarquis facilitates the seamless integration of new technologies and enhances the efficiency of internal processes. The Chief Information Officer's purview extends to safeguarding sensitive customer data and ensuring compliance with all relevant financial regulations. Sarquis's strategic direction is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving financial services landscape, directly impacting the bank's ability to support international trade plans and uncover paths to international success for its clients.

    Ray Gill - Data Ai, Openbank & Santander Chief of Staff (US)

    Ray Gill, the Data Ai, Openbank & Santander Chief of Staff (US) at Santander UK, drives strategic initiatives and operational alignment across key technology and banking divisions. Gill's responsibilities encompass enhancing data analytics capabilities and fostering innovation within Openbank and broader Santander Group operations in the US market. This role is pivotal in translating high-level strategic objectives into actionable plans, ensuring that data-driven insights inform business development and client support. Ray Gill works to streamline communication and execution between different units, supporting the company's mission to bring a fresh perspective to businesses with ambitions to grow beyond traditional markets. The Chief of Staff's focus on operational efficiency and strategic project management is essential for supporting international trade plans and uncovering paths to international success. By coordinating efforts and driving key projects, Gill ensures that Santander UK's technological advancements and financial services are effectively deployed to help clients prosper.

    Ian Simpson - Global Chief Technology Officer, Digital Consumer Bank

    Ian Simpson, the Global Chief Technology Officer, Digital Consumer Bank at Santander UK, architects the technological vision for the bank's digital consumer offerings. Simpson leads the development and deployment of cutting-edge technology solutions that enhance customer experience and drive digital innovation in consumer banking. This position is fundamental to providing day-to-day banking services, from accepting credit card payments to managing bill payments, ensuring a seamless and secure digital environment. The Global Chief Technology Officer's role involves overseeing the technology roadmap for digital platforms, aligning IT strategy with business goals to support growth ambitions beyond traditional markets. Ian Simpson's leadership ensures that Santander UK remains at the forefront of digital banking, enabling the bank to effectively support international trade plans and help clients achieve international success. By driving technological advancements, Simpson empowers the bank to offer a fresh perspective and tailored solutions to businesses seeking prosperity.

    Yamilet Labra - Associate III, Chief of Staff SCIB

    Yamilet Labra, the Associate III, Chief of Staff SCIB at Santander UK, supports strategic operations and project execution within the Santander Corporate & Investment Banking division. Labra's role involves facilitating communication and driving key initiatives that align with the bank's objectives of providing comprehensive financial services and supporting business expansion. This position is crucial for ensuring that the bank's operations effectively cater to the complex and evolving needs of businesses across various industries. Yamilet Labra contributes to the strategic planning process, helping to translate high-level goals into tangible outcomes for clients aiming to grow beyond traditional markets. The Chief of Staff's support is vital for enabling Santander UK to effectively assist with international trade plans and uncover paths to international success. By enhancing operational efficiency and project management, Labra helps the bank's sector specialists to guide clients toward prosperity and achieve their aspirations.

    Segundo Salazar - Jefe Operativo

    Segundo Salazar, the Jefe Operativo at Santander UK, manages and optimizes the operational functions of the bank to ensure efficient service delivery. Salazar oversees the execution of daily banking operations, including the processing of transactions and the management of operational workflows, ensuring that day-to-day banking services cover everything needed to run company finances. This role is fundamental to supporting the bank's commitment to providing a range of financing options suited to short and long-term needs, directly enabling businesses to expand their operations. The Jefe Operativo's focus on operational excellence is crucial for supporting clients with ambitions to grow beyond traditional markets. Segundo Salazar's leadership ensures that Santander UK can effectively support international trade plans and uncover paths to international success by maintaining high standards of service and efficiency. By driving operational improvements, Salazar helps the bank's sector specialists to assist clients in prospering and turning aspirations into reality.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Santander UK Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Santander UK?
    Santander UK is led by Carlos Polo (Chief Financial Officer), along with executives such as Michelle Yanez (Chief Financial Officer & Co-founder) and Michele Di Rauso (Division Chief Financial Officer, Md Consumer Finance Banco Santander (Asia)).
    Who is part of Santander UK’s executive team?
    The executive team of Santander UK includes leaders such as Carlos Polo (Chief Financial Officer), Michelle Yanez (Chief Financial Officer & Co-founder), Michele Di Rauso (Division Chief Financial Officer, Md Consumer Finance Banco Santander (Asia)) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Santander UK have?
    Santander UK has 8 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Santander UK’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Santander UK includes roles such as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Financial Officer & Co-founder, Division Chief Financial Officer, Md Consumer Finance Banco Santander (Asia), Chief Information Officer, Data Ai, Openbank & Santander Chief of Staff (US).