Starling Bank has announced the appointment of Raghu Narula, a former executive at NatWest, as its new Chief Banking Officer. This move is part of an ongoing effort by CEO Raman Bhatia to enhance the bank’s leadership team following the departure of founder Anne Boden.
Narula’s appointment follows recent key hires, including Michele Rousseau as Chief Marketing Officer and Adeel Hyder as Managing Director of SME Banking. These additions reflect Starling’s commitment to building a strong and dynamic executive team.
In his new role, Narula will focus on fostering customer and commercial growth while spearheading innovation across both business and retail banking segments. His responsibilities will include the development and launch of new products, customer propositions, and effective go-to-market strategies.
With over 20 years of diverse experience in retail, wealth, and commercial banking, Narula brings a wealth of knowledge to Starling. Prior to joining in February 2025, he served as Managing Director of Customer Engagement and Distribution at NatWest Group. His career also includes significant leadership roles at HSBC, where he worked across various regions including Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the UK.
CEO Bhatia expressed enthusiasm about Narula’s appointment, highlighting his extensive expertise in retail, wealth management, and commercial banking. Bhatia noted Narula’s deep understanding of digital transformation in the financial sector, making him an excellent addition to the Starling team. This strategic appointment underscores the bank’s commitment to advancing its growth initiatives.