Mr Atkinson was appointed as an Independent Non-Executive Director in February 2020. 

During a 23 year career at Goldman Sachs he worked in a variety of senior roles in finance and risk management. He was based in Asia for 12 years, including 5 years in Tokyo. 

Outside of Mizuho, Mr Atkinson is a Non-Executive Director at the Pension Protection Fund. He is also a Non-Executive Director at Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, a mental health, learning disability and autism health & social care provider, where he is Chair of the Audit Committee. He is a trustee on the board of Papworth Trust, a disability charity.

Mr Atkinson is a graduate of the University of Lancaster and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales."