The Birmingham-based commercial bank has promoted Nikki from her previous role as Unity's financial controller.

Nikki has over 20 years of experience in financial services and has previously served at KPMG, InterContinental Hotels Group and Coventry Building Society.

She joined Unity in 2015 as treasurer and was tasked with building the treasury function of the newly independent bank.

Margaret Willis, CEO of Unity Trust Bank, said she was delighted to welcome Nikki to the executive team.

“At Unity, we are committed to developing our people and in support of this we made a material investment in the 'Unity Way', a role-based competency framework that enables staff to charter their own personal learning and development journeys.

“It is, therefore, particularly pleasing that Nikki's appointment follows an extensive external search, and I am delighted that we have been able to appoint a highly competent internal candidate to this role.”

Nikki added: “I love the history and the wider purpose of Unity and am proud of how we have transformed the bank since 2015.

“As CFO, I'm looking forward to driving our double-bottom line strategy: remaining a strong financial institution, while delivering social impact to our communities and supporting our staff, customers and shareholders.”

Nikki's previous role will be filled by Kiran Samra, who is currently a financial reporting manager at the Co-operative Bank in Manchester.