NatWest has reinforced its commitment to the UK’s high-growth and innovation economy with two key appointments in its newly established venture banking team.
Greg Brown has been appointed as head of venture capital coverage, while Kim Martin has taken on the role of head of venture and growth finance, indicating the bank’s renewed drive to support venture-backed businesses and scale-ups, as reported by City AM.
Brown, who previously held the position of managing director at HSBC Innovation Banking, brings over 17 years of experience in public and private markets, boasting a successful track record in venture capital and growth finance transactions across Europe.
Martin, on the other hand, joins from Boost&Co, where she was responsible for SME investment origination. She brings nearly two decades of expertise in venture capital and private credit.
These appointments come at a time when UK financial institutions are increasingly acknowledging the strategic significance of tech expertise in shaping board-level decisions.
According to EY’s latest report, 52 per cent of new hires in UK financial services now have tech experience, surpassing corporate finance or sustainability credentials.
In the banking and capital markets sector, half of all new appointments are tech-focused, reflecting the industry’s shift towards digital infrastructure and AI adoption in response to growing regulatory and operational pressures.
Backing British scaleups
NatWest has announced the formation of its first venture banking team, which aims to offer bespoke banking solutions to UK-based scale-ups, including venture debt, growth finance, and ecosystem support.
The team is set to expand regionally, with a new line-up of relationship directors appointed to serve cities across the UK.
The service is scheduled for an official launch in early 2026, with a flagship event planned to bring together investors, founders, and venture capital firms.
This development comes as UK banks face escalating competition for fintech and tech-savvy talent, alongside wider pressure to back innovation-led growth within the SME sector.
Recent data from EY indicates that while 86 per cent of SMEs are familiar with AI, adoption is inconsistent, with fewer than one in three fully utilising digital tools.
Consequently, venture banking units like NatWest’s are increasingly viewed as vital facilitators of UK entrepreneurial ambition.
These moves by NatWest also align with broader industry trends across Europe, where banks are on the hunt for executives who can bridge the gap between tech, finance, and innovation.
For instance, Citigroup has recently hired senior tech bankers from competitors such as JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs, highlighting a pan-European scramble to secure talent capable of propelling the next wave of fintech and tech-enabled growth.
For NatWest, these appointments form part of a larger strategy to cement its role as a partner for high-growth businesses.
By bringing on board experienced professionals with extensive connections in venture capital and SME financing, the bank is indicating its readiness to vie for deals, handle risk in intricate growth-stage investments, and offer a comprehensive range of services to scale-ups that are increasingly shaping the UK’s economic landscape.
These appointments also occur amidst persistent challenges for the banking sector, including AI governance and cyber threats, as well as a competitive talent market.
In light of cyber incidents impacting major UK brands such as M&S, Co-op, and Jaguar Land Rover, banks are feeling the heat not only to facilitate growth but also to do so within the confines of solid risk management frameworks.
