Digital-only bank Atom has announced The Voice coach Will.i.am has joined the company as its first strategic board adviser.
The musician and entrepreneur, who has previously launched his own smartphone and smartwatch, will offer an “external perspective on culture, philanthropy and technology”, the bank said.
The Durham-based firm launched as an app in 2016 offering savings accounts, business lending and retail mortgages through intermediaries.
Will.i.am was also named T3 magazine’s tech personality of the year in 2016 and launched his own line of wireless earphones.
“Our lives are faster than ever before, but the banking industry hasn’t kept up,” the RnB star said.
“The scale of Atom’s ambition to help people understand and manage their money better, and its clever use of technology to give people an entire bank on their phones, is awesome.
“I’m looking forward to working with Atom to achieve success in everything we will do together.”
Atom founder and chairman Anthony Thomson said: “Like us, Will.i.am believes that technology can better and simplify our lives, which is at the heart of all that we are passionate about at Atom.
“As we develop the range of products and services on offer to customers, Will.i.am’s unique view on the world and knowledge of future trends will be a great asset for us.”
