Speaking to PRWeek, a spokeswoman for the bank confirmed the news, reported in The Times on Saturday, but was unable to comment further about O’Riordain’s successor at the time of publication.
Spain-based Santander has previously indicated that it favoured flotation for its UK arm, possibly in 2015. However, earlier this year UK CEO Nathan Bostock was coy on the timescale, saying it was a "medium-term objective".
O’Riordain, whose current role is managing director, comms, strategy, regulation and pricing at Royal Mail, was seen as a key player during the organisation’s IPO in 2013.
The Times reports that O’Riordain is to join Santander in January.
PRWeek asked for a response from Santander UK but received no reply at the time of publication.
