Folk2Folk has appointed Kawai Chung as chief executive, succeeding Roy Warren.

Chung joins Folk2Folk with more than 20 year of experience in financial services and asset-backed investing.

He has held senior leadership roles at challenger banks, private equity firms and investment managers, including SilverRock Financial Services, Intriva Capital and ARA Venn.

Warren, who has served as managing director of Folk2Folk since 2019, is retiring from the business and will join the board as an independent non-executive director in January 2026.

Warren will support Chung in the role to ensure a smooth transition.

Folk2Folk also announced the appointment of Claire Richards as executive director designate.

Richards is head of operations at the lending platform and has been with the company since 2018.

Commenting on his appointment, Chung says: “I’m honoured to be joining Folk2Folk at such a pivotal moment. The business has carved out a distinctive space in UK finance, and I’m excited to build on that legacy.”

“My focus will be on strengthening our lending proposition, deepening our broker relationships, and continuing to deliver value for UK SMEs and their introducers.”

Folk2Folk chairman Tim Sawyer adds: “Roy has steered [the company] through a transformative period, delivering consistent profitability and embedding the values that set this business apart. We’re grateful for his leadership and pleased we’ll continue to benefit from his insight and experience on the Board.”

“At the same time, we’re delighted to warmly welcome Kawai as CEO. His depth and breadth of experience in financial services and alignment with our mission make him the right leader to take Folk2Folk into its next chapter.”

At the start of the year, Folk2Folk hired Aaron Hamshire as relationship manager.