Robert Swannell

Biography

Robert recently stepped down as the Chairman of UK Government Investments (UKGI), a role he held from 2016 to 2021. UKGI is the UK Government’s centre of excellence in corporate finance and corporate governance.

Robert was previously appointed as a non-executive of the Shareholder Executive and subsequently the Chairman in 2014, which as of the 1st April 2016 joined with UK Financial Investments (UKFI) to form UKGI.

Robert is currently Chairman of Marks and Spencer, an appointment he took up in January 2011 after spending three months as a Non-Executive director.

As Chairman of UKGI, Robert brought significant corporate finance knowledge and experience to help deliver its aims to be a provider of expert corporate finance and commercial expertise across government, and an effective shareholder of businesses owned by the government. Robert was involved in numerous advisory roles with the public sector during his investment banking career and also has extensive experience working in the public sector. Until 2010, Robert spent over 30 years in investment banking with Schroders/Citigroup. He was formerly Vice-Chairman of Citi Europe and Chairman of Citi’s European Investment Bank. He was Senior Independent Director of both The British Land Company plc (NED 1999 to 2010) and of 3i Group plc (NED, 2006 to 2010). Robert was Chairman of HMV Group plc from February 2009 until March 2011.

Robert’s regulatory and government department experience includes the Regulatory Decisions Committee of the FSA, the Takeover Panel Appeal Board and the Industrial Development Advisory Board (IDAB) of BIS. He is Trustee of TeachFirst and of the Kew Foundation and a Director of the Investor Forum.

He is a Chartered Accountant and Barrister.

Previous roles in government

  • Chair of UK Government Investments
  • Chairman of the Shareholder Executive