Bank of Ireland Group Plc Announces Appointment of New Board Chair

Bank of Ireland Group today announces the appointment of Akshaya Bhargava as Chair and Governor, following an international search process. Akshaya will take up the position on 1 January 2025.

Akshaya Bhargava has been a member of the Board of Bank of Ireland Group since January 2024. He has previously served as a director on the boards of Wealthify Group, Mindtree, Barclays Asset Management, Vahanna, and Avendus Wealth Management. Akshaya has extensive governance and leadership experience across the financial services ecosystem; including as CEO of Global Wealth and Investment Management at Barclays and as founder of a number of successful fintechs.

Over his career to date, Akshaya has held a range of leadership positions in wealth management, international financial services, fintechs and emerging technologies, and transformation and change. Amongst the successful firms that he has founded and led is Bridgeweave, where he currently serves as Executive Chair.

Richard Goulding, Senior Independent Director and Deputy Chair, said: “I would like to congratulate Akshaya on his appointment as Chair and Governor of Bank of Ireland. Akshaya combines a depth of financial services and fintech experience with strength of leadership and an entrepreneurial mindset. These qualities will be of great benefit to Bank of Ireland, as it works to complete its current strategic cycle and looks to the years ahead in what is a fast-evolving sector.

“I would also like to thank Patrick Kennedy for his exceptional leadership since taking on the position of Chair and Governor in 2018, and for his service on the Board since 2010. Under Patrick’s leadership, the Group has returned to full private ownership, completed a number of transformative acquisitions, and demonstrably strengthened its strategic and financial position including investor returns. On behalf of the entire Board, we wish Patrick the very best for the future.”