The Board of Directors

Appointed Chair in January 2018, having joined the board in 2015.

Strengths and experience

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).

Society roles

Jack is also Chair of the Nominations and Governance Committee and a member of the Remuneration Committee.

Personal Message for 2022

Our strategy to support members and our Community by investing in our infrastructure and our people, thereby creating a strong and sustainable business, continues to deliver positive results. 2021 was a hugely positive year for our society and our stated strategy will continue to improve the products and services we offer, whilst always remaining true to the values of mutuality. I would be honoured to continue to lead the Board in delivering these improvements.

Appointed Vice-Chair in October 2018 having joined the board as a Non-Executive Director in April 2013.

Strengths and experience

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.

Society roles

Robert is Chairman of the Remunerations Committee, Senior Independent Director (subject to PRA approval) and a member of Board Risk & Compliance Committee.

Other roles:  Robert is an MBE for services to business and economic development on Teesside.

Personal Message for 2022

My priorities for the year are all about members and colleagues. We’ll continue to invest in the Society, its branch network and systems to make it easier for you, our members, to deal with us. Alongside this we’ll support our brilliant colleagues who’ve worked so hard over the last two years on your behalf.

Appointed: Chief Executive in December 2018.

Strengths and experience

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.

Society roles

Andrew is a member of the Board, Nominations & Governance Committee and Darlington Homes Ltd Board, and attends the Board Risk & Compliance Committee, Audit Committee and Remuneration Committee.
He also chairs the Society Executive Committee and is an ex-officio member of all other Executive level Society Committees.

Other roles:  Andrew is a member of the Darlington Partnership and Darlington Cares Boards and a director/trustee of the Building Societies Association Pension Scheme.

Personal Message for 2022

I am proud to be CEO of your Society, passionate about its purpose and humbled by the progress achieved, whilst navigating the disruption caused by the pandemic. I aspire for your Society to consistently provide an excellent service and ensure that our members are at the heart of every decision we make. My mission is to build a trusted, values-driven organisation, which continues to thrive, inspire its people and make a real difference to our members and the local community.

Appointed: Non-Executive Director in August 2019.

Strengths and experience

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.

Society roles

Kate is a member of the Audit Committee and Board Risk & Compliance Committee.

Other roles: Kate is a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee at Cirencester Friendly Society.

Personal Message for 2022

The last two years have been extremely challenging for everybody and many of us have re-evaluated what is important for our families and for our communities. I believe that the role which Darlington Building Society plays for its savers, its homeowners and within its communities is more important than ever. I am determined to play my part in ensuring that we remain relevant, vibrant, and supportive not only for our members and our communities, but for our colleagues too.

Appointed: Non-Executive Director in August 2019

Strengths and experience

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.

Society roles

Angela became Chair of the Audit Committee on 1 January 2020 and is a member of Board Risk & Compliance Committee.

Other roles: She is a member of Council and Finance Committee for Newcastle University, a Trustee and Chair of Audit Committee for the Percy Hedley Foundation, and Director of William Leech Investments Limited.

Personal Message for 2022

I am very proud to be a Director of the Society as we genuinely put members, communities ,and colleagues at the heart of everything we do. I am Chair of the Audit Committee which is responsible for overseeing the integrity of the Society’s financial statements, the effectiveness of internal financial controls and audit processes. 2022 is set to be another busy year as we advance our digital change programme to improve our services for members whilst continuing to develop our colleagues and give back to communities from the region. If re-elected I will continue to apply my skills and experience to support the ongoing success of the Society for the benefit of our stakeholders.

Appointed: Non-Executive Director in August 2019.

Strengths and experience

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.

Society roles

Jessica is a member of the Risk Committee and Compliance and Remuneration Committee and a champion for Member Engagement.

Other roles: Jessica is a Fellow of the Institute of Sales and Marketing, a Board member at Teesside University Business School after graduating with an MBA in 2016, an advisor to the Tees Valley Combined Authority Business Engagement Board, the Rural Business Growth Board and ASSIST, a female led network. She is also a mentor for The Girls Network and a champion of small business.

Personal Message for 2022

After a year like no other, I continue to be committed to ensure our members remain at the heart of our Society. Investing in our infrastructure, increasing our community initiatives and supporting our colleagues and members throughout the past challenging year has highlighted the enormously valuable role our local mutual has to play in our communities and region.

Appointed: Non-Executive Director in October 2017.

Strengths and experience

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

Society roles

Ian is Chairman of the Board Risk & Compliance Committee and a member of Audit Committee.

Personal Message for 2022

Darlington is a strong, ambitious society firmly rooted in putting our members and communities at the forefront of everything it does. If re-elected, I look forward to continuing this focus and to contributing to the future growth and success in a changing world.

Appointed: Chief Operating Officer having joined the Society in September 2017 as Chief Risk Officer.

Strengths and experience

Chris has over 20 years’ financial services experience, including 2 years at Royal Bank of Scotland, 2 years at 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.

Society roles

Chris attends Board Risk and Compliance Committee and the Audit Committee.  He chairs the Society’s Risk Management Committee and Operations and Change Committee and is a member of all other Society Executive Committees.

Other roles: Chris is Treasurer at the 700 Club housing charity in Darlington, and a Director of his local rugby club.

Personal Message for 2022

I’m looking forwards to seeing the benefits of the Society’s change programme come to fruition to improve the service for our members.  Alongside this we will improve the working environment for our staff and ensure we continue to support members as we come out of the pandemic.

Appointed: Christopher became Finance Director in 2015 having previously joined the Society in 2012.

Strengths and experience

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.

Society roles

Christopher attends Board Risk and Compliance Committee and the Audit Committee. He chairs the Society Asset and Liability Committee and the Product and Pricing Committee. Christopher also attends Risk Management Committee.

Other roles: Christopher chairs the South Tees Development Corporation Audit and Risk Committee and chairs the North East Shadow Monetary Policy Committee. He is also a Governor at a local school.

Personal Message for 2022

Whilst my role is focused on ensuing the financial resilience of the Society, I am proud to have been part of the team that has guided the Society, its staff, members and community though the challenging past couple of years. I am sure 2022 will be another difficult year professionally and personally for many, but I look forward to supporting the Society’s journey in the coming year and beyond.