MacLaughlin has worked at Royal Bank of Scotland since 2012 as managing director, home buying and ownership and managing director specialist banking. Prior to this, he held a range of senior roles at Lloyds Banking Group, and Zurich Financial Services.
Des Crowley will remain in role until McLaughlin takes up this new position, which is subject to regulatory approval, to ensure a smooth transition.
Francesca McDonagh, group chief executive of Bank of Ireland said: “I am delighted to welcome Ian McLaughlin as chief executive, Bank of Ireland UK. Ian brings significant experience in UK banking having served in a number of senior financial services roles.
“Ian has a deep knowledge of the competitive UK banking market with a particular understanding of the UK mortgage market and joins at an exciting time for the organisation, as we continue to transform our culture, our systems, and our business model.”
Crowley retiring after 30 years
She added that Des Crowley is retiring after a long and successful career in Bank of Ireland spanning more than 30 years and thanked him for his exceptional contribution.
Robert Sharpe, chairman, Bank of Ireland UK said: “On behalf of the board of Bank of Ireland UK, I would like to welcome Ian McLaughlin as our new chief executive. We are very pleased to have secured such a strong candidate, bringing significant expertise and experience to the role.”
Ian McLaughlin said: “Today Bank of Ireland serves over three million customers in the UK, developing long term customer relationships and successful partnerships with trusted brands. It is an organisation with a unique heritage and history.
“I am honoured to have the opportunity of building on the legacy Des and the team have created as we go on to write the next chapter of the UK business.”
Meanwhile, Les Matheson, CEO of Personal banking at NatWest said: “We have been delighted with the progress that our mortgage business has made under Ian’s leadership over the past five years. He has helped drive innovation and improvement for our customers, with a highlight being our launch of a fully paperless mortgage journey.
“We would like to thank him for his excellent leadership and collaboration with colleagues across the bank.”
Bank of Ireland UK is separately capitalised and a self-funded business within the Bank of Ireland Group.
