Elizabeth O’Neill is a highly experienced General Counsel with more than 20 years’ experience in the public and private sectors advising on EU competition law, international law and corporate governance. She has undertaken a variety of legal leadership roles for Her Majesty’s Government throughout her career.

Elizabeth comes to British Business Bank from her previous role as Head Legal Adviser for the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) where she led a large in-house legal team advising the MHRA Board and the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.

Prior to that role, she served as General Counsel and Member of Executive Committee for UK Government Investments Ltd, and Head of State Aid and Commercial Law for the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, where she worked on the set up for both the Green Investment Bank and the British Business Bank. During the past year the British Business Bank was responsible for delivering government economic measures to support business and delivered £1.5bn of funding to SMEs through the CBILS, CLBILs, Bounce Back Loans and Future Fund schemes.

Elizabeth O’Neill said: “I am excited to be joining the British Business Bank at such an important time, as it focuses on supporting smaller businesses which are so critical to the country’s economic recovery. I look forward to working with a highly accomplished team, contributing to strong governance, and ensuring that the interests of small businesses, the Bank and its stakeholders are protected.”

Catherine Lewis La Torre said: “Elizabeth has a breadth of knowledge and depth of industry experience and we are delighted to welcome her to the Bank as General Counsel. The leadership and expertise that she brings will be invaluable as the Bank continues to grow and support the UK’s economy.”

Elizabeth takes up her role from Shanika Amarasekara MBE, who has been appointed as the British Business Bank’s Executive Committee member responsible for ESG, Economics, Policy and Strategy.