Appointment follows board search as Andy Golding prepares to retire
Specialist lender OSB Group (OSBG) has appointed Enrique Alvarez Labiano (pictured top) as its next chief executive officer, subject to regulatory approval and a formal start date being confirmed.
Alvarez Labiano is currently chief executive of retail and business banking and an executive director at Santander UK. He joined Santander Group in 2015 and has held a series of senior strategic roles, including group head of strategy and chief of staff to the executive chair, during which time he also led the group’s insurance business and responsible banking activities.
He moved to the UK in 2019 to become head of strategy and corporate development, before serving as chief people officer from 2020 and head of everyday banking from 2021. He was appointed chief executive of retail and business banking in 2023 and joined the Santander UK board in February 2025. Earlier in his career, he was a partner at McKinsey & Company between 2007 and 2015.
Alvarez Labiano will take over from long-serving chief executive Andy Golding (pictured right), whose intention to retire was announced last November. OSB Group said it will confirm the date on which Alvarez Labiano joins the group in a later statement.
The appointment follows a board-led recruitment process supported by a global search firm and overseen by chair David Weymouth. Both internal and external applicants were considered before the board selected Alvarez Labiano.
“Enrique brings compelling strategic vision having extensive experience leading group-level strategy at Santander,” Weymouth said. “His strong track record in retail and business banking, together with his excellent leadership experience will be instrumental in building on the strengths of the existing management team, and I look forward to welcoming him to OSBG.”
Commenting on his appointment, Alvarez Labiano stated he is focused on continuity of the existing plan and the group’s customer strategy. “I am honoured to have been chosen to lead OSBG, a company with a clear commitment to its customers,” he said.
“I look forward to working with colleagues across the organisation to build on the strong foundations and strategy already in place and to continue supporting customers, communities and shareholders.”
Golding will remain as a board director and group chief executive until Alvarez Labiano takes up the role. During the transition, he will continue to work with the board and the wider executive team on delivering the group’s strategy, including its 2026 financial guidance and medium-term targets.
“Enrique will be warmly welcomed at OSBG and will be supported by a highly committed and experienced team across the group as it continues to deliver on its purpose,” Golding said. “I wish him every success as he takes the business forward.”
Want to be regularly updated with mortgage news and features? Get exclusive interviews, breaking news, and industry events in your inbox – subscribe to our FREE daily newsletter. You can also follow us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn.
