Redwood’s new CITO to lead digital innovation and strengthen cybersecurity

16 July 2025

Redwood Bank has appointed Simon Goodyear as its new Chief Information and Technology Officer (CITO) as it reinforces its strategic focus on technology, data excellence and operational efficiency.

This appointment marks a pivotal moment in Redwood’s technology journey, as the Bank sets its sights on harnessing data, enhancing customer and colleague experience and reinforcing its digital and cybersecurity position.

Simon brings a wealth of experience in financial services technology, having held senior leadership roles in lending and finance sectors. At JBR Capital, he led critical technology initiatives and played a central role in preparing the organisation for a successful sale. Now, as he joins Redwood Bank, he is focused on transformation, growth and creating a more agile and automated operating model.

Simon said: “Joining Redwood is both a professional challenge and a personal opportunity. The culture here is genuinely collaborative and driven, and that’s what drew me in. My aim is to help Redwood enhance what it already does so well – particularly its customer-centric, manual underwriting approach – while using technology to remove friction, streamline processes and unlock valuable insights through data.”

Simon’s approach aligns closely with Redwood’s values. While the bank is known for its personalised service and manual underwriting, he sees technology as a means of amplifying human value, not replacing it.

“Technology should enable people to focus on where they can add the most value,” he added. “By eliminating low-value manual tasks and improving access to high-quality data, we can empower our teams to make even better decisions – and serve our customers even more effectively.”

Simon will also lead a comprehensive review of Redwood’s data strategy, internal IT capabilities, cybersecurity infrastructure and use of AI. He believes that effective AI begins with great data and robust governance and is committed to building that foundation while managing risks in this rapidly evolving space.

CEO and Co-Founder Gary Wilkinson welcomed Simon’s appointment. He said:

“Simon brings a rare blend of technical expertise, strategic thinking and a people-first mindset. As Redwood continues to grow, it’s critical we have the right leadership in place to modernise our infrastructure while staying true to our identity. I’m delighted to welcome him to the team.”

Simon is also an advocate for fostering a “culture of curiosity” within his teams – encouraging innovation, thoughtful risk-taking and continuous improvement. A former rugby player and now an active youth rugby coach, he draws on team-building principles both inside and outside the office.