Board of Directors

Jack Cullen

Chair/Chair of Nominations Committee

Jack has held numerous senior management and executive roles during his 40-year career within the financial services and risk management sectors. Included are: Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Sainsbury’s Bank; Retail Risk Management Director of Bank of Scotland; Group Security Director of Lloyds Banking Group; and UK Managing Director of Risk Management at National Bank of Australia (Europe).

Andrew Craddock

Chief Executive and Executive Director

Andrew started his career at Barclays Bank where he spent 20 years. From there he moved to Allied Irish Bank where he spent a further 10 years, latterly as UK Chief Operating Officer. He was Chief Executive Officer of the Buckinghamshire Building Society for 4 years before joining the Society in December 2018. Andrew has strong strategic and commercial skills as well as an excellent understanding of risk and change management, IT and Operations and developing products to meet customer needs. As Chief Executive Officer, Andrew has responsibility for developing and proposing the Society’s strategy, corporate objectives and plans, providing leadership to the Society, and maintaining the Society’s business model and culture.

Robert Cuffe MBE

SID/Vice Chair/Chair of Remuneration Committee

A Teessider by birth, Robert spent over 30 years in local media, latterly as Regional Managing Director of Trinity Mirror North East, publishers of the Gazette in Middlesbrough and the Chronicle, Journal and Sunday Sun in Newcastle.

Kate McIntyre

Non-Executive Director

A chartered accountant by background, Kate worked initially at PwC. She subsequently had a varied career spanning sales & marketing, customer services, IT & change management, HR, strategy and risk management, as well as finance. Kate has worked primarily in financial services with roles at Skipton Building Society, First Direct, AXA PPP healthcare, Lloyds Banking Group and Engage Mutual Assurance.

Christopher White

Finance Director and Executive Director

Christopher is a chartered accountant and fellow of the ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales). He has worked for the Society for over 8 years having previously worked for PwC as an external auditor of financial services firms.

Jessica Williams

Non-Executive Director

Jessica is the Founder and Managing Director of outsourcing business, Just Williams based in the Tees Valley. Jessica started her career at the Yorkshire Bank before working in the third sector and then 6 years ago launching her own business.

Chris Hunter

Chief Operating Officer (and Company Secretary).

Chris has over 20 years’ financial services experience, including 2 years at Royal Bank of Scotland, 2 years Yorkshire Building Society and 15 years at Lloyds Banking Group. He has extensive knowledge of Treasury and Market Risk and spent his first 2 years at the Society as Chief Risk Officer. Chris as Chief Operating Officer is responsible for the IT, Change, Marketing and mortgages/savings support functions.

Angela Russell

Chair of Audit

Angela retired as Deputy CEO and Group Finance Director of the Newcastle Building Society in 2018. She is a Chartered Accountant and Certified Public Accountant with over 30 years’ experience in finance in the UK and abroad. Angela has worked in a variety of positions covering finance, risk, audit, project and corporate planning. She also worked for PwC for 12 years in the UK and USA.

Ian Wilson

Chair of Risk Committee

Ian has over 40 years’ experience in retail financial services having held number of executive roles in banks with a focus on strategy, organisational change and risk management. Ian now follows a portfolio career combining board advisory and non-executive roles.

Jon Sawyer

Chair of Darlington Homes Ltd

A Chartered Surveyor, Jon advises developers, housing associations and charities on the delivery of new high quality homes. He is also an Advisor to George Clarke’s Council Housing campaign. Jon has 20 years’ experience of both serving on a range of Boards and delivering housing across the UK. He has previously been Director of Housing at Manchester City Council and Head of Custom Build Housing at responsible developer Igloo.