Yorkshire Building Society, the UK’s second largest building society, today announces Chris Pilling, currently Head of Branch Network at HSBC Bank plc, will become the Society’s new Chief Executive.
Chris will join the Society on 31 December 2011 and will take over from current Chief Executive Iain Cornish who announced his intention to step down in February of this year.
Ed Anderson, Chairman of Yorkshire Building Society, said: “Chris Pilling is an excellent appointment for Yorkshire Building Society. The Yorkshire is one of the UK’s strongest financial institutions and recent merger and acquisition activity has further strengthened its position. Chris’s outstanding track record and his wealth of skills and experience in delivering exceptional customer services in the retail financial services sector will prove invaluable in equipping him to lead the Society forward and build on the position we have established.
“Yorkshire Building Society’s culture is based on teamwork and Chris joins an extremely strong leadership team which has done an impressive job in leading the Society through an exceptionally demanding period. I would especially like to thank Iain for his tremendous contribution to the Society’s success and wish him well for the future.”
Chris Pilling said: “I am delighted to be joining Yorkshire Building Society at an exciting time in its history. The Society has a long held reputation for delivering outstanding value and excellent service to its members. It is clear to me that its success is based on its mutual status, combined with its financial strength and great commitment from its staff. The Yorkshire has a tremendous opportunity to build on its status as an independent building society to provide a real and trusted alternative to the banks and I am very much looking forward to being a part of that.”
Iain Cornish, Chief Executive of Yorkshire Building Society, said: “I am delighted that Chris is joining the Society. Over the past eight years, it has been a privilege to serve as Chief Executive. During that time the Society has done an outstanding job for members, which is testament to the commitment and professionalism of my colleagues throughout the business. It has been a pleasure to have worked with an outstanding leadership team who have worked hard to ensure the Society is very strongly positioned for the future. I am sure that Chris, together with his colleagues, will lead the Society to future continued success.”
Chris Pilling began his career with Procter & Gamble as a Brand Manager before taking on roles at Kraft as Middle East & Africa Group Brand Manager, and General Manager for Marketing in the UK and Ireland for British Airways. In 2000, he joined Telewest as Director of Marketing before moving to Asda as Marketing and Customer Service Director. In 2006, Chris joined HSBC as Chief Executive of First Direct, its telephone and internet-based retail bank. Earlier this year, he was appointed Head of Branch Network for HSBC Bank plc. Chris is married with two children and lives in Harrogate, Yorkshire.
Yorkshire Building Society, which has its head office based in Bradford, is the UK's second largest building society with approximately 2.6 million members, 178 branches and assets of over £30bn. It has recently successfully merged with Barnsley Building Society (31/12/08) and Chelsea Building Society (1/04/2010) and these brands are incorporated within the Yorkshire Group.
On 20 April 2011 Yorkshire announced its intention to merge with Norwich and Peterborough Building Society (N&P), which is subject to a vote of N&P members and confirmation of the Financial Services Authority (FSA). On 25 July 2011 the Society also announced its intention to acquire the Egg Banking Plc mortgage and savings book which, among other things, is subject to approval by the High Court and the opinion of the FSA.
Yorkshire reported very strong financial performance for the half year to 30 June 2011, with the Society announcing strong profitability, robust capital and liquidity positions and growth in mortgage lending.
19 August 2011
Yorkshire Building Society is one of the largest building societies in the UK. We offer a range of financial products and services including: savings & investment accounts, insurance products, loans, mortgages and more.
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Yorkshire Building Society is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA).
