Karen Wint

Non-Executive Director, Chair

Karen is our new Chair, taking over the role from Stuart Purdy. She has previously chaired the Risk Committee and been a Member of the Audit and Compliance Committee. Her career spanning 30 years in the building society sector drives her passion for the mutual model. As Chair, Karen will also be a Member of the People and Culture Committee.

Janet Bedford

CEO

Janet, as CEO, has responsibility for developing and proposing the Society’s strategy. She has overall responsibility for all aspects of the Society’s performance, including financial, regulatory, risk and people management. A Chartered Accountant, she has been with the Society for several years, having joined as Finance Director in 2014, during which time she has been instrumental in building the Society’s level of profitability, capital and liquidity. She has extensive senior leadership experience within the financial services sector, having operated as Deputy CEO at the Society as well as previously holding senior finance roles for the global payment provider, RBS Worldpay.

Sally Hall

Chief Financial Officer

Sally Hall joined the Society as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in 2023, replacing Christopher White. Sally is a Chartered Accountant and an accomplished finance leader who has over 20 years of experience across varying sectors, including financial services. Sally leads the finance team to deliver value to our members whilst maintaining the financial regulatory requirements of the Society. Sally has a proven track record of delivering financial growth through effective Business Partnering and delivering change Strategies. Sally is passionate about mutuality and working with an amazing team to deliver great mortgage and savings products to our members.

Oliver Laird

Non-Executive Director

Joined in February 2022. Chair of our Audit & Compliance Committee. Oliver is an experienced chief financial officer with significant public and private sector experience, including retail financial services. He has previously held senior roles at Lloyds Banking Group, Co-Operative Financial Services and was Finance Director at First Direct Bank.

Bob Andrews

Non-Executive Director

Joined the Board in October 2022. He is our People & Culture Chair, Whistleblowing Champion and a Member of the Risk Committee. Skipton-based Bob’s strengths lie in strategy and growth, governance, effecting culture change and brand development. After 35 years in mortgage lending, operations and insurance sectors, he remains as CEO of fellow mutual Benenden Healthcare and NED of the Association of Financial Mutuals. Expert in working with business leaders to define their vision, value proposition and strategy while instilling operational excellence.

Mark Robinson

Non-Executive Director

Joined the Board in October 2022. Chair of the Risk Committee and a Member of the Audit Committee. As the retiring CEO of Market Harborough Building Society, Mark has highly relevant expertise in niche lending, distribution, IT infrastructure and culture development. Originally hailing from North Lincolnshire, Mark has extensive experience of leadership at board level, predominantly in the mutual sector, and possesses a strong understanding of risk, compliance and regulatory relationship management.

Barry Meeks

Non-Executive Director

Joined the Board in October 2022. As Senior Independent Director, he deputises for the Chair in her absence. Barry, from North Yorkshire, is a highly experienced financial services NED, senior independent director and committee chair, with specific expertise in mortgages and banking. He has more than 20 years’ experience in the building society sector and has held numerous CEO positions. Barry is currently an Independent Non-Executive Director (INED) and Risk Co Chair for a recently licenced new challenger bank, as well as Chair of Risk for a financial services and technology business. He is experienced in regulatory interaction and risk/governance being a Chartered Director and a Fellow of The Institute of Directors.

Stephen Smith

Non-Executive Director

Joined the Board in October 2022. Member of Risk Committee and People & Culture Committee. With 40 years’ experience in the financial services sector in executive and non-executive roles, Yorkshire-born Stephen spent 25 years working for Legal & General, including heading up its mortgage and housing-related retail businesses. He has practical experience of mortgage market distribution, driving growth strategies, and an understanding of targeted customer marketing.

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