Our Board is responsible for directing and supervising the Society’s affairs, ensuring that we meet our statutory and regulatory obligations, protecting the interests of our members and uphold our duty to ensure that the Society maintains proper accounting records and effective business control systems.
Currently, our Board comprises two full-time executive directors and five non-executive directors. Executive and non-executive directors have the same legal roles, however, there are important differences between the two.
Each year, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the Annual Review, the Annual Accounts, an Annual Business Statement, a Directors’ Report and ancillary reports and statements.
September 2019
After previously chairing the Risk & Compliance Committee, Mike was appointed as Chair from January 2023. Mike is a Chartered Accountant and Associate Member of the Association of Corporate Treasurers. He has extensive experience of managing retail financial services businesses, having worked in retail banking for over 28 years, previously as CEO of Turkish Bank and Commercial Director of Bank of Ireland in the UK.
January 2018
Jenny is a Chartered Management Accountant with many years of Board level experience in the financial services sector. Jenny brings experience of managing organisational change and financial risk management, having held senior level roles both with a major building society and a high street bank.
March 2022
Ken has over 25 years’ experience leading financial services businesses. He held Board positions in regulated firms in the UK and Ireland and was previously CEO of Ireland’s largest mortgage lender, AIB Mortgage Bank. He runs a successful strategic advisory business and has extensive strategic, commercial and risk skills.
April 2020
Paula became Chair of the Remuneration Committee in November 2021. A former commercial real estate lawyer with over 30 years’ experience, she served on the Boards of two international law firms. She was Vice Chair of Opera North and the first female President of Leeds Chamber of Commerce. Paula is also a Non-Executive Director at a large accountancy firm, a hotel company director, and a qualified executive coach.
October 2023
Steve has over 20 years experience in leading digital transformations, sales and marketing and customer communications in large regulated businesses. Steve is currently the CEO of a successful fibre broadband business.
December 2024
Darren is CEO of the Society, bringing over two decades of experience in the building society sector. He has held Executive and Board positions at other Societies, including serving as Deputy CEO at Leek Building Society. Darren has a proven track record of developing a strong culture, driving strategic transformation, and delivering excellent business results.
September 2016
Judith is a Chartered Accountant and an Associate Member of the Association of Corporate Treasurers. She has extensive knowledge of managing financial risk, having held senior positions in Treasury and Finance in a high street bank.