Co-operative Bank appoints ex-Lloyds banker as new CEO

The Co-operative Bank has appointed Andrew Bester, former group director and chief executive of the commercial banking division at Lloyds Banking Group as the new CEO.

Bester is to replace previous chief executive Liam Coleman after spending eighteen months at the head of the bank and will become the fifth person to lead the lender in seven years.

"Over its recent history, the bank has been through a period of great change and uncertainty and I look forward to working with the teams to return the business to its former strength," Bester said.

Co-op Bank chairman Bob Dench said Bester was the right person to lead the bank : “Five years ago, the Bank faced very significant problems and over that time we have made progress towards successfully tackling those issues. In Andrew we have found the right person to take us on to the next stage as we focus on achieving a sustainable profitable bank,” he said.

Bester joined the bank and the board on Monday.