Announcing our new CEO

Oliver Laird also joins the Board as incoming Audit Chair

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Janet Bedford as our new Chief Executive Officer.

Janet, formerly Deputy Chief Executive, succeeds Karl Elliott, who led the Society for five years, building a strong brand identity and financial performance. 

Stuart Purdy, our Chairman, said: “Karl was a much-valued CEO and we thank him for his service and leadership of the Society.

“The Board is delighted to have selected Janet to lead us forward in our ambitious plans. These include further strengthening our position as lender of choice for our local members in Beverley, Hull and surrounding area, and across the country, who are attracted to the Beverley’s outstanding service and mortgage underwriting capability.

“Our loyal savings members, meanwhile, value the security and service the Beverley provides.”  

Janet, a qualified Chartered Accountant, is looking forward to building on these firm foundations, by focusing on significantly expanding the Beverley’s mortgage lending, in line with our founding purpose of ‘Building Better Futures’ – recognised this year when we were awarded the prestigious title of ‘Mortgage Provider of the Year’ in the Yorkshire Financial Awards.

She said: “I am really excited to take the Society forward as its new CEO, and I am extremely passionate about continuing our team’s great work. We intend to continue to build our reputation as an innovative mutual, offering genuinely outstanding customer service.

“We’ve come through the challenges of the pandemic with new learnings and confidence in our adaptability and resilience, thanks to our outstanding team. We know that current and future members need our help more than ever when it comes to getting a mortgage, particularly the increasing number of people whose circumstances are just that little bit more complex.

“The Society’s strong capital position and investment in new capability throughout the business means we are well placed to continue to deliver great customer service, support our savings members and help mortgage customers with innovative and competitive mortgages. Our team of experienced mortgage advisors take the time to listen and understand each individual case, doing their best to help wherever possible.”

Janet officially takes up her position at the Society’s AGM, which is taking place in Beverley this evening. Her appointment is subject to regulatory approval.

Our Board also announced another key appointment today, with Oliver Laird joining the Board as a Non-Executive Director and, subject to regulatory approval, Chair of the Society’s Audit Committee. Oliver is the Chief Finance Officer of Lookers PLC, the automotive business based in Altrincham

Stuart commented: “Oliver has extensive financial services and CFO experience and we really look forward to gaining from his knowledge and business perspective as a member of our Board.”  

Welcoming Janet to her new role, Stuart continued: “We congratulate Janet on her well-deserved appointment, having demonstrated outstanding commitment and capability over the past nine months as she stepped up as our interim CEO. We look forward to seeing her take the Society forward as it enters the next stage of its evolution.”

Outgoing CEO Karl said: “I am very proud of all we have achieved in the past five years and the solid foundations we have built to enable the Society to thrive in the future.

“Regretfully, I have decided that after 18 months of personal challenges, I must prioritise my family over my work for now and so I am stepping aside from the 25th April.

“I am hugely indebted to our Board and colleagues for their support throughout my time with the Society and I look forward to the Beverley’s continued success, serving its members.”

Stuart concluded: “We have been fortunate to have had the service and commitment of a leader of the calibre of Karl. We understand Karl’s decision and priorities and he leaves the Beverley with our very best wishes.”

Janet joined our Board in 2014 and, during her time as Finance Director, helped build our level of profitability, capital and liquidity, cumulating in 2021 performance which saw our profit levels reach their highest point in the last decade. This was achieved while simultaneously investing significantly in infrastructure, including new recruits, to support future growth. 

Janet was promoted to Deputy CEO in 2017, to help support Karl in creating and delivering the Society’s new ‘Building Better Futures’ strategy.  In addition to the intrinsic understanding this experience has given her, Janet has extensive financial services sector experience, including 12 years at the global payments provider RBS WorldPay, where, among other things, she was Financial Controller for the UK and European businesses and Projects and Acquisitions.