About
Ian Banks joined Imbiba as a Partner and CFO in 2025, bringing over 25 years of operational experience with multi-site private equity-backed companies in the leisure, hospitality, and wellness sectors. A Chartered Accountant trained at PWC, he previously served as Finance Director of Spirit Group and Group CFO at Soho House, and co-founded and was CFO of the tech platform Sessions. At Imbiba he oversees the firm's financial and regulatory functions.
Experience
- PickleballEnglandNED National Boardcurrent2026 — present
- ImbibaPartnercurrent2025 — present
- SessionsBoard Directorcurrent2020 — present
- SessionsCo-founder & Chief Financial Officer2020 — 2025
- Upham InnsNon Executive Directorcurrent2025 — present
- McLarenBanksCompany Ownercurrent2019 — present
- Shelter HallCo-Founder & Owner2020 — 2025Brighton, England, United Kingdom
- Camm and HooperFinance Director2019 — 2021London, United Kingdom
- SWEAT! GYMSInterim CFO2019
- WE ARE BAR GROUP LtdCEO & Co-Owners2017 — 2019London, United Kingdom
- WE ARE BAR GROUP LtdCFO & Co-Owner2015 — 2019London, United Kingdom
- Soho House & CoGroup Global CFO2013 — 2015London
- Barracuda Pub CompanyHead of Finance2010 — 2013
- Lloyds Banking GroupInterim Finance Partner2009 — 2010
- Memorable Pubs LimitedCo-founder & Director2005 — 2009
- Spirit Pub Company (previously Punch Retail and Allied Domecq)Head of Finance & Strategy1998 — 2004
- PricewaterhouseCoopersAssistant Audit Manager1994 — 1998
Skills & more
Forecasting18Financial Reporting7Financial Modeling7Financial Analysis13Planning Budgeting & Forecasting5Project Management6Covenant Compliance2KPI Reports2Project Appraisal1Interim Management Services2Restructuring6Acquisitions2
+12 more
HospitalityMulti-Site OperationsChange ManagementCash-flow focusStakeholder ManagementManagementMergers & AcquisitionsFinanceStrategyStrategic PlanningLeadershipXeroFrom Ian's professional profile.
Investments
Board seats
Upham Inns
Per the firm's website.
Colleagues at Imbiba
Andrew Guest
Investment Associate at Imbiba
Andrew Maxwell
Operating Partner at Imbiba
Brian Phillips
Partner & Chairman of Investment Committee at Imbiba
Dame Karen Jones DBE
Chairperson of Hawksmoor, Non-Executive Director of Deliveroo & Whitbread and Senior Government Advisor at Imbiba
Darrel Connell
Managing Partner at Imbiba
David McDowell
CEO of Stonegate Pub Company at Imbiba
Heidi Duckworth
Operating Partner at Imbiba
John Connell
Partner & Co-founder at Imbiba
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Ian Banks?
- Ian Banks joined Imbiba as a Partner and CFO in 2025, bringing over 25 years of operational experience with multi-site private equity-backed companies in the leisure, hospitality, and wellness sectors. A Chartered Accountant trained at PWC, he previously served as Finance Director of Spirit Group and Group CFO at Soho House, and co-founded and was CFO of the tech platform Sessions. At Imbiba he oversees the firm's financial and regulatory functions.
- Where does Ian Banks work?
- Ian Banks is Chief Financial Officer at Imbiba.
- What boards does Ian Banks sit on?
- Ian Banks holds tracked board seats at Upham Inns.
- Where did Ian Banks go to school?
- Ian Banks studied at Price Waterhouse ACA; Loughborough University (BSc, Recreation Management); Loughborough University.
Same school
Also attended Loughborough University56
Abbie RobusAssociate Director at Mayfair Equity PartnersDiane WalkerHead of Group Finance & Operations at Mayfair Equity PartnersCostanza CariniInvestor at DN CapitalAlasdair MitchellPortfolio Support at Giant Ventures Global LlpDiana KoziarskaManaging Partner at SMOK VenturesPatrick ForsterInvestment Analyst at The Spartan Group
+ 50 more
Shared employers
Also worked at Soho House & Co8
Hamish GarnettAssociate at Manta Ray VenturesVeronica Crystal MejiaChief of Staff at Chingona VenturesSam RobinsonManaging Director at NordstarDeeps De SilvaAdvisor at Artichoke CapitalMary DoctorEvents Coordinator at Lofty VenturesMalia ProbstCo-founder and Investor at WXR Fund
+ 2 more
Also worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers1,102
David PhuController at Felicis VenturesTianen LiangTax Controller at Felicis VenturesJanet WolpertInvestor at Index VenturesAryo TehranianManaging Director at Mayfair Equity PartnersAne Tolnes HaugdalInvestor at InvestinorEgilInvestor at Investinor
+ 1,096 more