Starling Bank founder steps down as CEO to avoid potential conflict of interest

Anne Boden is also a major shareholder and hopes move will shield online bank from possible concerns

The founder of Starling Bank, Anne Boden, is to step aside in a surprise move designed to shield the online bank from potential concerns over a conflict of interest, because she is a major shareholder in the lender.

Boden, who launched the bank in 2014, said on Thursday that the roles and priorities of a shareholder and chief executive ultimately differ" and that to ensure there was no potential conflict", she would give up her executive role next month but remain on the board as a non-executive director.