One year on from its official launch as the UK’s first bank built exclusively for mobile, Atom is adding some star power to its ranks with the appointment of will.i.am as a Strategic Board Advisor.
The Voice coach and pop star has a well-documented interest in technology; while serving as the Director of Creative Innovation for Intel, will.i.am acts as an ‘idea generator’ while looking to “the next frontier of interactive technology”. Will.i.am has also, among other tech accomplishments, debuted a song on Mars and combined interest in digital photography and augmented technology to create the i.am+ foto.soho iPhone case.
At Atom, will.i.am will provide the Durham-based bank with an external perspective on culture, philanthropy and technology.
“Our lives are faster than ever before, but the banking industry hasn’t kept up. The scale of Atom’s ambition to help people understand and manage their money better, and it’s clever use of technology to give people an entire bank on their phones is awesome,” said will.i.am.
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“I’m looking forward to working with Atom to achieve success in everything we will do together.”
As an entrepreneur, will.i.am has some impressive credentials – he was a founding shareholder in Beats Electronics, the creators of Beats by Dre headphones. The Voice Coach has also been recognised for both his p[philanthropy and entrepreneurship, having been named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in March, 2013, in recognition for his role as a STEM education advocate. 
Through his i.am.angel Foundation, will.i.am created i.am.STEAM which looks to provide underserved students with learning and interaction opportunities beyond the classroom. The i.am angel foundation in the UK is a STEM education and computer skills joint initiative with The Prince’s Trust.
Anthony Thomson, Atom Founder and Chairman 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.”
Atom launched its innovative banking app in 2016, offering competitive fixed savings accounts, secured business lending and retail mortgages offered through intermediaries, with further products and continuous App enhancements planned throughout 2017.
