Desmond
McNamara.

Desmond brings over three decades of expertise in financial services, combining deep regulatory insight with a passion for societal impact. A recognised thought leader in compliance and financial inclusion, Desmond is dedicated to advancing risk management by balancing rigorous controls and innovative strategies. His meticulous approach ensures Zilch’s products deliver exceptional performance while staying at the forefront of regulatory standards, helping steer and position Zilch as a category leader in the worlds of consumer finance and advertising.

Previously Desmond has held the pivotal role of global Chief Risk Officer at Barclaycard, a major player in unsecured lending across the UK, US, and Germany. Prior to this, he served as the Head of Financial Risk for the entire Barclays Group. His expertise was further honed at Dresdner Bank, where he led Risk Management for the Markets business, and at Deutsche Bank, where he excelled as Managing Director of Treasury, including a stint in the Asia Pacific region.

Before joining Zilch, Desmond achieved a remarkable feat as the CRO, building a new UK bank from the ground up, culminating in its authorisation in 2020 and subsequent listing on the AIM market. His journey in finance began in derivatives trading, having completed a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics at the University of Warwick.