Lafferty Appoints High Profile Head Of Innovation And Foresight

By Wynne Evans

Lafferty Group today announced the appointment of John Egan, author of The Future of Banking, as Head of Innovation and Foresight. In doing so the Group highlighted an increased focus on disruptive technology and its impact on retail banking. On taking up the appointment Mr Egan stated his intention of enhancing Lafferty's position as a global voice on innovation in retail finance.

Egan is an economist, award-winning entrepreneur, author and renowned thought leader focused on foresight and innovation, particularly in retail banking. His work has highlighted the accelerating pace of change in this area with reduced barriers to entry and the 'cherry-picking' of services by new start-ups and adjacent players.


The former CEO of Sandbox, the global innovation think-tank, will take up his new role with London-based Lafferty Group on 1stOctober. In this position he will use his experience to support Lafferty clients across the globe.


“John brings energy, experience, and a unique perspective to our business, and we are thrilled to have him join the team,” said Lafferty CEO Robert Grealis. “He is an exceptionally talented executive with an in-depth understanding and vision for the role innovation can play in the future of retail banking. In making this appointment we are responding to and anticipating our clients' needs in a rapidly changing environment.”


Mr Egan explained how he views the new role. He said “Lafferty Group is a tremendous organisation with a legacy of cutting edge financial insight through dependable research, reporting and thought leadership. I am looking forward to this opportunity to work with the Lafferty team on extending that authority into the financial innovation and foresight space”.



About Lafferty Group
Founded in 1981, Lafferty Group is the world's leading provider of advanced knowledge services for the retail banking and consumer financial services industry. With particular specialisations in the fields of retail banking, cards and payments and mobile financial services, the group's comprehensive services include senior management councils, benchmarking research databases and studies, thought leadership reports, conferences, webinars, insights and advisory services. Lafferty Group has a track record of success and innovation, most recently in 2011 with the launch of the Retail Banking Academy, the first organisation dedicated to post-graduate education and professional development of retail bankers worldwide.


About John Egan
John Egan is an economist, award-winning entrepreneur and renowned thought leader focused on foresight and innovation, particularly in retail banking. John has a track record of success in the finance and engineering sectors. Having worked in Investment banking in the US and Europe, John and has spent much of the last 4 years working with several of the world's largest banks on their innovation strategies. He has authored or contributed to a number of reports and books on the future of retail banking including "The New Normal - The Future of banking". “Next Generation Finance” (Harriman House) and “New Ideas, New Ireland” (Gill & McMillan). He sits on University College Dublin's Innovation Academy board of studies and is a faculty member at the Retail Banking Academy.



For further information please contact:

Robert Grealis
Chief Executive Officer, Lafferty Group
T: +44 (0) 203 008 8415
E: [email protected]