Metro Bank founder quits - Telegraph Anthony Thomson, chairman and co founder of Metro Bank, announced yesterday that he is stepping down as the radical high street challenger prepares to float on the stock exchange. Mr Thomson, who is 58, said that it had never been his intention to run a listed company and that he is stepping aside to spend time on new philanthropic projects and business opportunities. He will leave Metro Bank by the end of the year. "I don't want to hang around like Banquo's ghost," he said. The chief executive Craig Donaldson and Vice Chairman and co-founder Vernon Hill remain at the business. Mr Thomson said that the plan is to float the bank on the stock exchange in the middle of 2014, "market conditions permitted." Metro Bank was the first new high street bank for a century when it was launched in 2010. It aims to give customers a new type of banking experience. Branches are open 80 hours a week including Sundays and the bank offers immediate account opening, free card transactions abroad and dog biscuits and water for visiting pets. The bank announced in July it is planning to sell mortgages through brokers.