City Minister Lucy Rigby officially opens Newcastle HQ

Atom bank, the UK’s highest rated bank on Trustpilot, welcomed Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Lucy Rigby KC MP, to Newcastle last week to formally open its new state-of-the-art headquarters The Pattern Shop.

The Minister was joined by Cllr Karen Kilgour, Leader of Newcastle City Council, who have been responsible for the regeneration of the building. The Economic Secretary addressed a company-wide meeting and unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the move, which confirms the digital bank’s commitment to the region, bringing nearly 600 jobs to the city.

A focus on innovation, skills and regional growth

In addition to meeting new starters to the bank, as well as a group of Atom’s apprentices and graduates to talk about digital skills, the Minister had demonstrations of the efficiency of Atom’s lending processes and the bank’s support for vulnerable customers as part of a tour of the building.

Accompanied by local business leader and member of the Mayor’s Business Board, Sophie Milliken MBE, the Economic Secretary held a discussion with 12 female founders from across the region to understand their successes and the barriers to entry for female entrepreneurs.

Atom also used the opportunity to introduce the Minister to some of the region’s most innovative start ups from the life sciences, low carbon and financial services sectors, along with local providers of early stage venture capital and SME loans. Their discussion focused on financing and barriers to competition for firms with high growth potential in sectors identified as critical to the UK’s success by the Government’s Industrial Strategy.

A state of the art hub with a proud history

This strategic relocation from Durham, a multi-million-pound investment, supports Atom’s rapid growth, hybrid working model, and mission to redefine modern banking, serving as a hub for innovation.

The move also reaffirms Atom’s dedication to the region. As well as bringing new jobs to the city, the digital bank supports the North East through its Early Careers Programme, which enhances social mobility and access to opportunities. This includes the Atom Futures Fund for students from low-income or care backgrounds, two AMI Women in Technology Scholarships with Durham University, the EY Smart Futures programme and a Graduate Scheme to develop future leaders across various departments.

Lucy Rigby KC MP, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, said: “Atom bank’s decision to expand in Newcastle and bring nearly 600 high skill fintech jobs with it is another clear vote of confidence in the UK’s world leading fintech sector.

“This investment will support long term careers in cutting edge high skill jobs, help power local growth and put more money in people’s pockets.”

Cllr Karen Kilgour, Leader of Newcastle City Council, said: “This is a landmark day for Newcastle and a huge endorsement of our ambition for regional growth. Atom bank’s investment in The Pattern Shop—a historically significant site—preserves Newcastle’s heritage while securing the future through high-quality job creation. We are delighted to see a forward-thinking business putting down such strong roots in our city.”

Mark Mullen, CEO of Atom bank, added: “We are incredibly proud to welcome the Economic Secretary to The Pattern Shop. This building has a legacy of innovation dating back to Robert Stephenson’s pioneering work, and now we are writing the next chapter. Our new office represents not only a commitment to the North East, but a commitment to our people—providing a modern, flexible and collaborative working environment that allows us to build a bank that will be here for another hundred years and beyond.”

**ENDS **

Notes to editors

For Atom Jen Shepherd, jen.shepherd@atombank.co.uk, 07595 951099

About Atom bank

Atom bank is one of the UK’s highest rated banks on Trustpilot, and is on a mission to make the experience of borrowing and saving faster, simpler and better value than anyone else. The bank launched operations in April 2016 as the UK’s first app-based bank, and offers award-winning mortgages and savings through its app, alongside secured business lending for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Based in the North East of England with a team of nearly 600 people, Atom is here to ​​change banking for the good, for the better, and for everyone. This means focusing on customers’ needs, delivering better value than the incumbents, providing an exceptional app-based experience and offering award-winning customer support via phone, chat, email and social channels. The bank has some of the best customer service credentials in the UK, having achieved 5-star ratings on both the iOS and Android App Stores, whilst consistently delivering Net Promoter Scores (NPS) in the high 80s.

Based in Newcastle, Atom is an engaged and active member of the North East Community. In 2022 Atom signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding with Durham University to progress key research and diversity initiatives. The region has one of the highest levels of youth unemployment in the UK and Atom is passionate about addressing the critical digital skills gap and helping develop young people and other groups that are under-represented within the industry. In 2024, Atom purchased 25 acres of newly planted broadleaf woodland in Northumberland to sequester 7000 tonnes of carbon, which will account for all its operational emissions since founding. This forms part of the bank’s pledge to be climate positive by 2035, becoming the first UK bank to make this commitment.

As of November 2021, all employees enjoy a four-day working week, after Atom became the largest company - and only bank - in Britain to introduce the policy for all employees, with no reduction in salary.

The Atom executive team are highly experienced, having built and run some of the most well-respected banks in the UK. CEO Mark Mullen has 30 years’ experience in the sector and was previously CEO at the multi- award-winning telephone and internet bank first direct. The team is supported by a strong non-exec board, chaired by Lee Rochford.