Capital One - Executive Biographies

Richard D. Fairbank, Founder Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Richard Fairbank is founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Capital One Financial Corporation.

Mr. Fairbank began his career in 1981 as a consultant with Strategic Planning Associates (which later became Mercer Management) spending seven years as a consultant and specialising in the banking industry.

While at SPA, Mr. Fairbank shaped the idea that would ultimately become Capital One's hallmark - it's Information Based Strategy (IBS) - which integrates the traditionally separate functions of marketing, credit, risk operations and information technology into one flexible decision-making structure that enables the company to offer financial services tailored to fit each customer's individual needs. A strategy Mr. Fairbank believed would revolutionise the credit card industry.

In 1988, Richmond, Virginia-based Signet Bank agreed to implement the mass-customization strategy. In 1994, as the credit card division's revenues and profits began to overtake the rest of the bank, Signet decided to spin-off its credit card business as Capital One Financial Corporation and Mr. Fairbank became Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Capital One.

Under Mr. Fairbank's leadership and through his vision, Capital One became one of the largest credit card issuers in the United States.

Throughout his career Mr. Fairbank has received many honours and awards including his 2008 appointment to the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation, being named to the "2008 Washington Business Hall of Fame" by Junior Achievement, the "2006 Banker of the Year" by the American Banker, "Business Leader of the Year" by Washingtonian Magazine, "Best CEO" in specialty finance by Institutional Investor magazine and, "Industrialist of the Year" by Virginia Governor Mark Warner and the Science Museum of Virginia. Mr. Fairbank has also been named to Worth magazine's list of the top 10 CEOs and "50 Best CEOs" and Future Banker's list of "influential personalities in financial services."

Mr. Fairbank served as a Director of MasterCard® International's Global Board of Directors from February 2004 until May of 2006. Prior to that, Mr. Fairbank served as the Chairman of the U.S. Region Board of MasterCard from March of 2002 until February of 2004 and as a member of the U.S. Region Board of Directors of MasterCard from March of 1995 until March of 2002.

Mr. Fairbank holds an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business and a bachelor's degree in economics from Stanford University.

Brian Cole, Managing Director, UK

Brian joined Capital One 11 years ago, first as a financial analyst in the company's cellular reselling start up where he spent 2 years. In 1999, Brian transferred to US Card to manage the finance unit for one of the company's smaller credit card portfolios. Brian next took the role of CFO, US Superprime credit card, before initiating and leading the first portfolio management function in Global Finance in 2002. In this role, he was responsible for US Card budgeting, financial analysis and contributed to strategic planning and target setting for the division. Brian later moved back toward the lines of business as VP, CFO for the Upmarket US Card portfolio, supporting the General Manager in management of the financial performance of the business unit for 18 months. In September 2005 Brian began his role as MVP, CFO Capital One Europe, one which has since been expanded to include responsibilities for the Canada business finance unit as CFO, Capital One International. Brian became the Managing Director of the UK business in May 2009.

Prior to his Capital One career, Brian was employed by a large regional bank in the US, First Union, since acquired by Wachovia Corporation, and worked in commercial underwriting and portfolio management.

Brian earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies from Virginia Tech University in 1993.

Alihan Hotic, Vice President, Marketing, UK

Alihan joined Capital One in 1999 in the US Card business. He has held a number of roles over the last 10 years, including marketing, product & credit strategies, innovation, new product development and process improvement.

Alihan moved to the UK in early 2008 to head up the Marketing and Analysis group and has recently taken additional responsibility within his current role as Head of Marketing.

Alihan holds a BA in Economics from Johns Hopkins University (1999) and an MBA from Columbia and London Business School (2007).

Steve Hulme, Chief Financial Officer, UK

As Chief Financial Officer for Capital One Bank (Europe) plc Steve leads a team who are responsible for financial strategy, financial analysis, forecasting and reporting, balance sheet management and funding, accounting, regulatory reporting, financial control, tax and procurement.

Prior to this role, Steve led Balance Sheet Management & Financial Planning. He is also a former Financial Controller of the bank.

Steve joined Capital One in 1999 from Rolls-Royce plc where he held in a number of financial and internal audit positions. Steve qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1995 having previously gained a degree in Geography from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Victoria Mitchell, Chief Risk Officer

As Chief Risk Officer, Victoria is responsible for managing Capital One's various Risk functions to ensure best practice is maintained throughout the business.

Prior to this role, Victoria led the Legal Department, which she set up when she joined Capital One in 1997, and the Compliance Department. Victoria is also the Company Secretary for Capital One Bank (Europe) plc.

Victoria's areas of expertise are in consumer lending, banking regulation and general commercial law. In addition to her current role, Victoria sits on the European Leadership Team, where she is jointly responsible for setting the strategy, management, and direction of the European business.

Previously, Victoria had worked in the Banking Department at Wilde Sapte (a leading firm of solicitors in London) where she had helped establish the UK branch of Capital One. Victoria obtained her law degree at the University of Birmingham in 1986 and was called to the Bar in 1988.

Michael Woodburn, Vice President,
Chief Operating Officer, UK

Michael joined Capital One in the US in 1999, where he held a number of positions both in the US and Canadian Card businesses in both the Marketing and Credit functions.

In 2005 Michael moved to the UK business to work in Marketing and Analysis. At the end of 2006 he transitioned to Head of Risk Operations and in August 2009 he became the Chief Operating Officer.