President and Chief Operating Officer, Commencement Bank

Alum, Class of '88

Parent, Class of '19, '23, '27

 

Nigel English is the President and Chief Operating Officer at Commencement Bank, a solutions-based bank serving Pierce, South King and Thurston counties. With over 30 years of experience, Nigel has a proven track record in increasing market share for local banks and demonstrates strong leadership skills.  Prior to Commencement, he was the commercial banking Marketing President at Heritage Bank. Nigel is a graduate of Eastern Washington University and Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington - Foster School of Business.  Throughout his career, he has held positions in commercial, retail and consumer banking, and senior level management.  

 

Currently Chair of the school’s Finance Committee, Nigel oversees and provides guidance for Bellarmine’s financial analysis, and oversight of the school’s operating budget to ensure there are the necessary resources to provide support that aligns with the school’s mission. In addition to his work with Bellarmine, Nigel serves as chair for Travel Tacoma Mt. Rainier Tourism and Sports, and is a board member of The Tacoma Pierce County Economic Development Board.  

 

A Bellarmine alum, Nigel has fond memories of his time on the hill and, throughout the years, he has a gained an even greater admiration for the institution’s commitment in providing a highly academic, Jesuit, Catholic education.  He is grateful for the opportunity to give back to the Bellarmine community, knowing firsthand, the many enduring attributes he experienced while at Bellarmine. 

 

Nigel and his wife, Kara, are currently raising three daughters, two of which are Bellarmine graduates of '19 and '23, and their youngest daughter is in the class of '27.