Metro Bank, has appointed Roger Farah to its board as a non-executive director, helping lead the group which includes a growing private banking and wealth management business.

The new kid on the UK banking block, Metro Bank, has appointed Roger Farah to its board as a non-executive director, helping lead the group which includes a growing private banking and wealth management business. (Read more on this division, here.)

As previous president and chief operating officer of Ralph Lauren Corporation, Farah grew the company's market value from $1.2 billion to $18 billion. He is currently executive vice chairman of Ralph Lauren Corporation, and has been a member of the company's board of directors since 2000.

He previously served as chairman of the board and CEO of Footlocker from 1994 to 2000. Prior to that Farah served as president and COO of Macy's, chairman and CEO of Federated Merchandising Services, chairman and CEO of Rich's Department Stores and held several executive positions at Saks Fifth Avenue. He is also on the board of directors of Aetna and Progressive Corporation, and is a member of the executive committee for the National Retail Federation.

“Metro Bank's strong growth model closely resembles that of many successful retailers, and I look forward to providing hands-on support and experience to the board and leadership team,” said Farah.

Farah joins Metro Bank's other non-executive directors including:

Lord Howard Flight, founder of Guinness Flight Asset Management

Luke Johnson, chairman of Risk Capital Partners

Eugene Lockhart, former CEO of Midland Bank and MasterCard International and former president, global retail banking at Bank of America

Stuart Bernau, former retail director at Nationwide Building Society

Ben Gunn, former CEO of Friends Provident Life & Pensions

Keith Carby, co-founder of J. Rothschild Assurance

James Reuben, residential and commercial property specialist

Vernon Hill, founder of Metro Bank and Commerce Bank

Metro Bank recently reported record growth, following a 128 per cent increase in deposits in 2013 and its assets soaring to £1892 million (about $3145 million), up from £771 million at the start of the year - an increase of 145 per cent. Read more on that story, here.