John Flint is to step down from the role of the CEO of the
National Wealth Fund (NWF) in the summer after seeing through the
transition from the UK Infrastructure Bank (UKIB).
Appointed as CEO of UKIB in 2021, Flint led the organisation from
a start-up to an established feature of the UK investment and
policy landscape.
In October 2024, UKIB was transformed into the NWF with Flint
taking on the role of CEO of the new organisation. Since then,
Flint has driven forward the transformation of the institution,
with its broader mandate to support the government's growth and
clean energy missions through its partnership with the private
sector and local government.
Since its launch the NWF has invested in 11 deals, securing 8,600
jobs and unlocking £1.6 billion in investment spread right across
the industries that turbocharge growth in our economy as
government's number one mission - from clean energy to digital
infrastructure.
Backed by capitalisation of £27.8 billion, the NWF has been
established to mobilise over £70 billion of business investment
and help kickstart economic growth as part of the government's
Plan for Change.
The NWF has also recently committed to trialling strategic
partnerships with local government, starting in Greater
Manchester, West Yorkshire, West Midlands, and the Glasgow City
Region. These partnerships will provide enhanced, hands-on
support with tailored commercial and financial advice to help
regions develop and secure long-term investment opportunities.
Chancellor of the Exchequer said:
John Flint has been an outstanding CEO of UKIB and the NWF. He
will leave behind a considerable legacy – having led the scale-up
of UKIB and its transformation into the NWF. I would like to
thank him and wish him well.
His successor will be required to build on his work by backing
businesses and our local leaders to invest in the industries of
the future. In doing so we can get Britain building the
infrastructure we need to grow as part of our Plan for Change.
John Flint said:
It has been a huge privilege to lead UKIB and NWF, working with
some of the brightest and best of the public and private sectors.
After successfully leading the transformation of UKIB into the
NWF, this summer will be the right moment to hand over to a
successor and look for a new challenge.
I will do so feeling confident that the NWF is well positioned to
mobilise billions of pounds of investment and play a leading
role in supporting the government's ambitions on growth and clean
energy. I will follow its future activities with interest.
A recruitment process to identify Flint's replacement will launch
shortly. Flint will remain as CEO until the summer to support an
orderly transition to a new CEO and to ensure that momentum is
maintained.
John Flint biography
As Chief Executive Officer of the NWF, Flint chaired the Fund's
Executive Committee, is a member of the Board of Directors, and
chairs the Investment Committee, which makes decisions on
investments.
Previously Flint was Group Chief Executive of HSBC. During his
30-year career with HSBC, Flint built a range of skills in
wholesale banking, retail banking, and Treasury and risk
management. He represented HSBC in nine countries, spending much
of his career in Asia. He progressed through the roles of Group
Treasurer, Deputy Head of Global Markets, Chief Executive of HSBC
Asset Management, and Chief Executive of Retail Banking and
Wealth Management, before being appointed Group Chief Executive.
