NatWest’s Mettle names Michelle Prance as new CEO
Mettle, NatWest’s digital-only bank for small businesses and the self-employed, has announced that Michelle Prance will be taking over as its new chief executive officer (CEO).
Michelle Prance has been named the new CEO of Mettle
Launched by NatWest in 2018, Mettle is an app-only banking service that equips sole traders and freelancers with a free business bank account and an array of accounting, bookkeeping, and tax tools to help manage their business finances.
Prance joined NatWest in 2021 following spells at ABN Amro, Credit Suisse, CMC Markets and Lloyds Banking Group.
Prior to her appointment as Mettle’s CEO, she most recently held the role of group director, customer and colleague journeys at NatWest.
On her appointment, Prance says that the “self-employed have traditionally been underserved by banks”, which has placed barriers in the way for them to get “set up quickly, get paid and be tax-ready”.
“By offering new features such as tax calculation and saving pots, Mettle has shown that banking doesn’t need to be complex.”
James Holian, head of business banking at NatWest Group, says that Prance will bring a “wealth of experience and expertise to the role”, having held many positions within the banking sector, namely in “product, innovation and strategy”.
Prance assumes the role previously held by Andy Ellis, who stepped in after the departure of Marieke Flament at the end of 2021. Ellis has since taken up the position of CEO of NatWest’s Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) business NatWest Boxed.
