KPMG is pleased to announce the appointment of Warren Mead as the head of challenger banking and alternative finance at KPMG. This is a new role reflecting the need to have a specialist practice group to address this rapidly growing area of the market.

Warren has extensive financial services experience, including 15 years in KPMG’s transactions services, where he advised on some of the largest transactions in the banking industry. This experience will enable him to lead this group, which aims to help challenger banks as well as non-core players entering the sector, such as crowd-funding and peer-to-peer lending firms, achieve their goals in today’s increasingly challenging banking landscape.

Warren Mead, head of challenger banking and alternative finance at KPMG, said: “It is a privilege to take on this new role and lead KPMG’s charge into this exciting area of the market.

“We recognise that the world of banking is changing as a result of the wave of the regulatory, economic and political changes that is taking place. There are vast opportunities for challenger banks as well as non-core players entering the financial services sector, but there are equally tough challenges ahead.

“By bringing our expertise across areas such as financial services, technology, digital and analytics, we can help these firms stay ahead of the curve and distinguish themselves in an increasingly competitive landscape.”

Richard McCarthy, UK head of banking at KPMG: “Warren’s outstanding knowledge and unrivalled experience made him the standout candidate to take the lead on challengers and disruptive banking.

“What we are seeing is only the tip of the iceberg – we’re increasingly seeing non-core players in areas such as peer-to-peer lending service with the potential to shake-up the market.   Warren’s appointment marks an important step for us in helping our clients adapt to this new marketplace.”