Before GB Bank, Sismey-Durrant was a senior independent director for over two years at PCF Bank, and before that was chair and non-executive director at Yourban AG and Yourcom AG for nearly three years.
Prior to that, he was chief executive of Hampshire Trust Bank (HTB) for over six years and, before that, was chief executive of MSD Financial Consulting.
He has also held chief executive roles at Heritable Bank and Sun Bank for nine years and 12 years apiece.
Kirsopp left the firm to join Streambank as its chief executive, taking over from Jean-Pierre Flais, who has held the role of interim CEO since the end of 2023.
GB Bank CEO and co-founder Stephen Lancaster said: “We are thrilled to have secured Mark’s services as chair of GB Bank.
“His vast experience and expertise are fundamental for the business as we look to progress to the next stage of our development.
“We’d also like to take this opportunity to thank Mike Kirsopp as he leaves us. Mike has been a valued and integral member of the team for almost three years, helping the company in securing the full banking licence in August 2022, and the ongoing development of the business since then.
“We are incredibly grateful for Mike’s commitment to GB Bank, and he leaves with our very best wishes as we welcome Mark as our new chair.”
Speaking about his appointment, Mark said: “I’m delighted to be joining GB Bank at such an exciting time for the business and I’m really looking forward to using my experience in specialist banking to help take the company forward.
“The bank was founded with a commitment to serving communities, which really makes it stand out, and I’m looking forward to working with all of the GB Bank team as we take the business through the next stage of its development.
“There are lots of exciting opportunities in the market that we are looking to tap into as GB Bank matures and develops beyond its highly successful launch phase into an ambitious growth stage.”
