Home Insights How the Geek Way helped Allica Bank become Britain's fastest-growing company

How the Geek Way helped Allica Bank become Britain's fastest-growing company

CEO Richard Davies on the story behind Allica, why small and medium-sized businesses need a better bank and the outlook for the UK economy

How the Geek Way helped Allica Bank become Britain's fastest-growing company

Allica Bank has been Britain's fastest-growing company over the past few years, according to a collection of different reports that track this. This growth has been driven by Richard Davies, the chief executive. He arrived at Allica in 2020 from Revolut to what was, effectively, a blank sheet of paper – the bank had a licence and funding, but its founder had departed and it made paid out only £5m in loans.

Since then, Allica has been transformed into a thriving digital bank for small and medium-sized businesses. At the heart of this transformation has been an approach inspired by what Davies has learned from his varied career and a book, The Geek Way, that provides a playbook for modern businesses.

In this episode of the Business Leader Podcast, Graham Ruddick speaks to Davies about the story behind Allica, why small and medium-sized businesses need a better bank and the outlook for the UK economy.

Related and recommended

Turning data into action the Virgin way

Turning data into action the Virgin way

Genuine change doesn’t happen by magic but by digging into data, being open and involving everyone

How Bloom & Wild turned complaints into their greatest growth engine

How Bloom & Wild turned complaints into their greatest growth engine

Behind Bloom & Wild’s £110m success lies a leadership lesson in turning customer complaints into brand advocacy

'Leave the ego at the door’: Rochelle Humes on building a brand that lasts

'Leave the ego at the door’: Rochelle Humes on building a brand that lasts

From chart-topping popstar to brand founder, Rochelle Humes shares lessons in risk, resilience and self-awareness

Belu Water CEO on the little-known tax causing 'big headaches to business'

Belu Water CEO on the little-known tax causing 'big headaches to business'

The CEO of a social enterprise in the UK explains how the extended producer responsibility scheme is hitting her business

Apply to become a member

Click here to review our privacy policy.

Explore membership