Leeds Building Society Log in Menu Log in Register Home Savings Mortgages Life planning Insurance Knowledge Base Contact us Your Society You are here: Home > Your Society > About Us > Board of Directors The Board of Directors Iain Cornish - Chair and Independent Non Executive Director Appointed: Independent Non Executive Director in January 2019 and Chair of the Board in April 2020. Committee membership: Nominations Committee (Chair). Strengths and experience: Iain has more than 30 years’ experience working in financial services. A former CEO of Yorkshire Building Society (2003-2011) and Chair of the Building Societies Association (2007-2008), Iain has held a number of non executive posts. He was a Treasury Select Committee Special Advisor and Independent Director for the Prudential Regulatory Authority and chaired the Financial Services Authority Practitioner Panel. In addition to significant experience within the sector, Iain has relevant risk and audit committee experience. Other roles: Iain is a trustee and treasurer of Macmillan Cancer Support. “As Chair, my role is to lead the Board and to oversee the development and delivery of the Society’s strategy. In 2020, my first year as Chair, the Board’s primary focus was to adapt to the changing environment so that we could remain operating for members, keep colleagues informed and safe and maintain financial resilience. As we move into the next 12 months, my priority will be to continue to protect and promote the Society’s sustainable success on behalf of members.” Richard Fearon - Chief Executive Officer Appointed: Chief Executive Officer in February 2019 and Executive Director in 2016. Strengths and experience: Richard started his career at Oliver Wyman & Company and spent 10 years at Lloyds Banking Group in senior mortgage and savings roles. Richard has an excellent understanding of product development to meet customer needs, as well as strong strategic and commercial skills. As Chief Executive Officer, Richard has responsibility for developing and proposing the Society’s strategy, objectives and plans and maintaining our business model and culture. Other roles: Richard is a member of the UK Finance Mortgages Product and Service Board and a member of the Business in the Community Yorkshire & Humber Advisory Board. “One of my priorities as CEO is to ensure our members are at the heart of every decision we make. Our revised 2020 corporate priorities supported us in navigating the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic so that we could continue to effectively serve members, upholding our purpose as a mutual building society. My role involves leading the management team so that we can operate in the best interests of our members.” Annette Barnes - Independent non executive director Appointed: February 2019. Committee membership: Board Risk Committee and Remuneration Committee. Strengths and experience: Prior to joining the Society, Annette was CEO at Lloyds Bank Private Banking Ltd and Managing Director of Wealth & Mass Affluent for Lloyds Banking Group. With her background in operations, technology and customer experience, and recent board and regulatory positions, Annette brings a wealth of knowledge to the Board. Other roles: Annette is a non executive director of GlobalData plc, Quilter Life & Pensions Limited and Quilter Investment Platform Limited. “The world has changed in many ways since I began my career in financial services more than 30 years ago; with significant digital advancements and an appropriate focus on the value of a diverse workforce. In my role as a board member, it is for me to challenge and support management, so that collectively we can continue to meet the changing needs of members, colleagues and other stakeholders.” Andrew Conroy - Chief Financial Officer Appointed: Chief Financial Officer in July 2019 and Executive Director in January 2020. Strengths and experience: Andrew started his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers before moving to West Bromwich Building Society. He has more than 15 years’ experience in financial services, including a number of senior roles in both building societies and banking institutions. Having worked within finance, treasury and corporate strategy, Andrew has developed strong technical skills in financial accounting and treasury risk management. Andrew is the Chair of the Asset and Liabilities Committee and Balance Sheet Optimisation Group and has responsibility for the Society’s Finance and Treasury Management functions, along with oversight of its recovery and resolution plan and activities. Andrew joined the Society in July 2019 as Interim Chief Financial Officer and was appointed to the Board in January 2020. Other roles: Andrew is a trustee for Saltmine Trust. “My appointment as Chief Financial Officer was made permanent last year, just prior to the onset of the pandemic. Coronavirus has impacted the global economy and this, as you would expect, has impacted many firms in the financial services sector, as well as many of our members. Throughout the year, my focus was supporting our members and colleagues by safeguarding the Society’s financial position. This continues to be my priority, as I lead our finance function into 2021.” David Fisher - Independent non executive director Appointed: March 2012. Committee membership: Board Risk Committee (Chair), Audit Committee and Remuneration Committee. Strengths and experience: With more than 30 years’ experience in financial services, David’s career began at Halifax Building Society. Since then, he has developed a wealth of knowledge in retail financial services and has a strong understanding of risk management, pensions and human resources. Prior to joining the Society, David was CEO of Sainsbury’s Bank and continues to undertake a number of advisory roles. David is Chair of the Board Risk Committee and his responsibilities include safeguarding the independence of the risk function. Other roles: David is a non executive director of Tandem Bank Ltd and Tandem Money Ltd. “The Society’s ongoing strength and stability rely on our ability to identify, manage and mitigate risk. My role as Chair of the Board Risk Committee is to ensure we have robust systems in place to manage risks throughout the business, which include our risk management framework and internal controls. The management team has responded well to the additional risks posed by the pandemic and my ongoing priority is to ensure risks are being managed appropriately, so we can remain secure.” Neil Fuller - Independent non executive director Appointed: December 2020. Committee membership: Audit Committee and Board Risk Committee. Strengths and experience: Neil joined the Board in December 2020 with over 35 years’ experience in retail banking and financial services. Prior to joining the Society, Neil held senior roles at Bank of Ireland UK plc including Chief Risk Officer and Executive Board Director and for a short time Interim Chief Executive Officer. Before this, he undertook the role of Chief Risk Officer at GE Capital Bank Ltd and a variety of roles including Risk Director and Chief Risk Officer in the UK retail division of Royal Bank of Scotland and NatWest. Neil’s experience and knowledge of risk management in the financial services sector will bring value and further strengthen the Board. Other roles: Neil is a non executive director of Aspinall Financial Services Ltd “I believe the experience I have gained as Chief Risk Officer at different organisations and my understanding of risk management and the principal risks facing the financial services sector will bring value to the Board and I very much look forward to working with the Society.“ Andrew Greenwood - Deputy Chief Executive Officer Appointed: Deputy Chief Executive Officer in April 2021 and Executive Director in January 2015. Strengths and experience: Andrew started his career as a solicitor in private practice and has worked for the Society since 1998 in a variety of legal, compliance and risk focused roles. Having developed extensive experience of working in a highly regulated environment, Andrew leads the Risk function, which comprises a number of specialist teams. Andrew is responsible for the overall management of the Society’s risk control framework, which includes coordinating and managing principal risks and risk appetite. He reports directly to the Board Risk Committee and attends all the Society’s management risk committees. From the start of 2020, Andrew also took on responsibility for our Human Resources, Learning and Development and Property and Business Services functions. “Having worked for the Society for more than 20 years, primarily in the Risk function, I have extensive experience of risk management and a strong knowledge of the organisation. A key aspect of my role as Chair of the Models and Rating System Committee is supporting the Board to fulfil our financial risk management responsibilities and helping them understand the model framework, which underpins assumptions and decision making. This role will continue to be important as we adapt our plans in line with changes in the economy.” Gareth Hoskin - Independent non executive director Appointed: November 2015. Committee membership: Audit Committee (Chair), Board Risk Committee, Nominations Committee and Remunerations Committee. Strengths and experience: Gareth has acquired extensive experience during his 30 years working in financial services, both in the UK and internationally. Having spent almost 20 years at Legal & General plc, Gareth was a director and CEO of the International Division. Prior to this, Gareth was a chartered accountant at PricewaterhouseCoopers. In January 2019, Gareth was appointed Vice Chair and Senior Independent Director of the Board. His responsibilities as Chair of the Audit Committee include safeguarding the independence of the Internal Audit function and acting as our whistleblowing champion. Other roles: Gareth is a non executive director and Chair of the Audit Committee of Saga plc and a non executive director and Chair of Acromas Insurance Company Ltd. He is also advisor to the Board of Green Park Partners Ltd. “As Chair of the Audit Committee, it is my responsibility to make sure our financial statements are fair, balanced and include all the information you, as a member or stakeholder, need to assess and understand our performance. It is my role to challenge, where required and to use my experience from the past 30 years to oversee the Society’s reporting and audit processes.” Rob Howse - Chief Operating Officer Appointed: Chief Operating Officer in September 2019 and Executive Director in May, 2021. Strengths and experience: Rob has spent the last 10 years in a number of senior executive technology, operations and change roles at RBS and Lloyds Banking Group, primarily focussed on Retail Banking. His earlier career included time in Telecoms, the Royal Navy and as a management consultant at McKinsey and Company where, as an associate partner, he specialised in advising multinational clients on the design and execution of transformation programmes. As Chief Operating Officer, Rob’s responsibilities include transformation, technology and operational resilience and he is the Chair of the Executive Transformation Committee and the Operational Resilience Committee. Other roles: Rob is a member of the UK Finance Digital, Technology and Cyber Product and Service Board. “Since joining the society in the 2019, I have used my extensive experience of technology, transformation and operational resilience to support the Board’s strategic agenda and help assure day-to-day operations. Last year, I was able to use this experience to ensure that the Society continued to operate safely through the Covid crisis while still investing in the future and improving the way that we work.“ Lynn McManus - Independent non executive director Appointed: September 2017. Committee membership: Remuneration Committee (Chair), Audit Committee, Board Risk Committee and Nominations Committee. Strengths and experience: Lynn joined the Board in September 2017 bringing more than 20 years’ experience within financial services. She has worked within finance, risk, HR and communications and her most recent role was at Clydesdale Bank, where she was a member of the executive team. Lynn is a chartered management accountant. Lynn is the board appointed colleague representative and a member of the Audit Committee. In January 2019, Lynn was appointed Chair of the Remuneration Committee. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of the Society’s remuneration policies and practices. Other roles: Lynn is a director of Kane LMMG Ltd and Doggy Day Care Academy Ltd. “I have two key responsibilities as a board member. The first is to represent colleagues as the board appointed colleague representative; ensuring colleagues’ views are shared and discussed at Board level. The second is in my role as Chair of the Remuneration Committee. It is my responsibility to make sure the Society has the appropriate policies in place to set Board and senior management remuneration, which are clearly aligned to our strategy and promote the right behaviours and outcomes.” Anita Tadayon - Independent non executive director Appointed: October 2021. Committee membership: Board Risk Committee. Strengths and experience: Anita joined the Board in October 2021 with over 25 years’ experience and a strong track record in transformation. Anita has held a number of senior roles and has developed a great deal of expertise in combining technology and change along with the development and design of customer journeys. Anita is currently employed by BT Group as Global Product Roadmap & Lifecycle Director. Previously she ran a Design Function in BT Consumer and worked for both Sky and British Gas in Transformation. Anita also brings FCA regulatory knowledge from her time with British Gas, where she was responsible for the conduct team within customer operations. Anita has an MBA from London Business School. Other roles: Anita is a director of Tadayon Consulting Limited. “I am delighted to have joined the Society as a non executive director and feel strongly about the values associated with mutuality. I believe that my knowledge and experience will provide different insights to the Board, thereby adding value to the decision making process.” Back to AGM Quick links About us Member benefits Charity and community Help Centre Branch finder Sign up to our newsletter Financial information AGM Get in touch Email Branch Phone Help centre Intermediaries Intermediaries site Help Contact us Help centre Resolving problems Site map Important information Cookies Fraud Financial abuse Investor relations Legal notice Modern Slavery Act Privacy Regulatory announcements Security Tax Strategy About us Awards Careers Customer research Gibraltar information Press Sign up to our newsletter Find out about new products, competitions and money-saving hints and tips. Follow us: The Society is covered by the Financial Ombudsman Service. The Society offers some savings products that may be operated through branches and by post and certain products which can be operated by post only. Leeds Building Society is a member of the Building Societies Association. Leeds Building Society is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Leeds Building Society is registered on the Financial Services Register under number 164992. You can check this on the FCA website at register.fca.org.uk/s/ or by calling 0800 111 6768. Buy to Let mortgages which are for business purposes are exempt from FCA Rules. * We may monitor and/or record your telephone conversations with the Society to ensure consistent service levels and for colleague training purposes. Head office: 26 Sovereign Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 4BJ © 2014 - 2021 Copyright Leeds Building Society We use cookies to ensure our website works properly and collect data on how you use it. This helps us personalise your experience and make improvements to our website. 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