The Bank has welcomed Nicola Pidgeon to the Bank as Chief People Officer, in a job share partnership with Kay Smith, who is already in post.
Nicola is an experienced HR and Workforce Transformation Director, bringing a wealth of leadership across both the private and public sectors. She has held senior generalist and specialist HR roles at organisations including Lloyds Banking Group, Santander Asset Management, and most recently as Global Head of HR Strategy and Engagement at Barclays.
A Fellow of the CIPD, Nicola holds a degree in Psychology and Business from the University of Glasgow. Passionate about the power of people to drive meaningful change, she brings a deep commitment to building inclusive, purpose-led cultures that enable transformation and growth.
On her appointment, Nicola said: “Taking on an executive role in a job share is something I’m incredibly proud of. It reflects a growing recognition that senior leadership can, and should, embrace more flexible and inclusive ways of working. Kay and I are both passionate about building an organisation that reflect this ethos and leading by example.
What initially drew me to the Bank was its mission-led purpose: to help Scotland prosper by investing in businesses and projects that support the transition to net zero, drive innovation, and tackle inequality. It’s a rare opportunity to align my professional experience and interests with a role that has meaningful social and environmental impact.”
CEO Al Denholm commented: “We want to create a diverse and vibrant culture both within the Bank, and with our investees. We’re a small but very ambitious business - for what we can do within our own organisation and the change we can support for others. We’re pleased to welcome Nicola and the experience she brings in helping us achieve our goals.”
