Together hires Group Chief Operating Officer

Specialist lender Together has bolstered its executive team by appointing experienced financial services leader John Barker as the Group’s Chief Operating Officer (COO).

In his new role as Group COO at Together, Barker will take responsibility for operations across the Cheadle-based business, which provides personal and commercial secured finance and has a loan book of £6.2billion.

Barker has a wealth of experience in financial services, in particular, leading operations, IT and change, and will take charge of Together’s ambitious modernisation and transformation programmes.

Barker started his career with Co-op Insurance more than 17 years ago. He later joined Capita, where he worked for more than a decade, becoming a Managing Director within the group in 2019. He later joined the business transformation provider Target Group as Group Chief Operating Officer before he was promoted to Chief Executive Officer, a position in which he was appointed by the Financial Conduct Authority to hold a Senior Management Function (SMF1).

Gerald Grimes, Together’s CEO designate, said “It’s fantastic to be able to welcome someone of John’s calibre and experience to this new role. His appointment demonstrates how crucial our operational teams are in the ongoing success of our business.”

“John has a proven track record of people and purpose-led service and technology transformation. Throughout his career he has excelled in delivering market leading colleague, customer, conduct, and client outcomes and meeting the strategic objectives of businesses and clients. We know his appointment will prove a huge benefit for our business and look forward to welcoming him to Together.”