Executive committee

A wealth of experience and expertise

We're all in this Society together, so we'd like you to meet the Executive Committee who are proud to be part of our team.

Introducing our team of Executive Directors

Picture of Susan Allen

Susan Allen BA Hons (Econ), ACIB, ACT, OBE

Chief Executive
Joined the Board in 2023

Background and career

Susan has held senior executive roles at some of the UK’s largest retail banks, including Barclays, Santander UK and Royal Bank of Scotland. She has led major transformation programmes and driven customer-focused change throughout her career.


Before joining YBS, Susan was Head of Customer Transformation at Barclays, leading and supporting frontline teams to deliver outstanding service. At Santander UK, she was Chief Transformation Officer before becoming Chief Executive Officer for Retail and Business Banking, supporting 15 million customers with a nationwide network of branches and contact centres. Susan is Deputy Chair of the Building Societies Association.

Skills and experience

Over 30 years’ experience in financial services across diverse businesses.
Proven track record in transformation and customer experience.
Champion of diversity and inclusion throughout her career.
Responsible for leading the Society and delivering the strategy approved by the Board, driving performance and culture, and ensuring the Society fulfils its Purpose.

Other roles

Director of TheCityUK and Trustee for the Alzheimer’s Society.

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Tom Ranger BAHons

Chief Financial Officer
Joined the Board in 2024

Background and career

Tom joined YBS from Santander UK plc, where he spent 16 years. For the last seven years, he was UK Group Treasurer. He was also a Non-Executive Board Director of Santander Financial Services plc and Senior Officer of Santander International’s Jersey Branch.

 

Tom began his career at Northern Rock in 1999. He moved to Alliance & Leicester in 2007, just before its acquisition by Banco Santander SA plc in 2008.

Skills and experience

Over 25 years’ experience in financial services.
Significant expertise in UK retail banking finance and treasury.
Specialist knowledge in markets, funding, capital and liquidity management, balance sheet planning, interest rate risk, pensions, stress testing and investor relations.
Responsible for ensuring the Society stays financially resilient – protecting the long-term financial stability of the Society and keeping members’ and customers’ money safe.

Other roles

Chair of Accord Mortgages Limited and Chair of Norwich & Peterborough (LBS) Ltd.

Introducing our team of Chief Officers

Image of Richard Bowles

Richard Bowles MSc, BSc

Chief Risk Officer
Joined the Society in 2024

Background and career

Richard has held senior risk leadership roles across major UK banks and building societies. Before joining Yorkshire Building Society, he was Chief Risk Officer at Coventry Building Society, following over a decade at Lloyds Banking Group and roles at TSB, Barclays and HBOS.

Skills and experience

Over 15 years’ experience in retail banking.
Broad risk management expertise with a proven track record in delivering major transformation.
Responsible for ensuring that there are appropriate procedures and capability for the management of all the Society’s risks, whether planned or unplanned. Also, for the Compliance and Secretariat functions and regulatory relationships.

Other roles

None.
Picture of Fiona Cannon

Fiona Cannon Bsc (English Literature), OBE

Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer
Joined the Society in 2025

Background and career

Fiona joined YBS from Lloyds Banking Group where she was most recently the Group Sustainable Business Director. She was responsible for social sustainability, responsible business and inclusion and diversity strategies, as well as broader ESG reporting.

Skills and experience

Over 25 years’ experience in financial services.
Extensive knowledge of environmental and social sustainability strategies.
Expertise in governance across public, private and voluntary organisations.
Responsible for helping shape and deliver the Society’s strategic priorities and sustainability goals. Also has responsibility for the Society’s External Affairs and Internal Communication functions.

Other roles

Chair of UK charity Surviving Economic Abuse.
Image of James Heslip

James Heslip BA Hons, MSc

Chief Internal Audit Officer
Joined the Society in 2016

Background and career

Since joining YBS James has held senior roles including Group Lead for Compliance Advisory, Senior Manager in our Mortgage Advice Team and, most recently, Director of Compliance, Money Laundering Reporting Officer and Data Protection Officer. In that role, he was responsible for second line oversight of compliance and conduct risk, as well as managing key regulatory relationships.

 

Earlier in his career, James worked across all three lines of defence at multiple financial services institutions, including Lloyds Banking Group and Aviva.

Skills and experience

Broad audit, risk, and financial experience across all three lines of defence.
Responsible for the Society’s third line of defence, including evaluation of capital, liquidity, credit, operational, and regulatory risk management.

Other roles

None.
Picture of Fraser Ingram

Fraser Ingram MBA FCB

Chief Operating Officer
Joined the Society in 2023

Background and career

Fraser was previously Chief Digital and Innovation Officer at Virgin Money. He has held senior roles including Group Chief Operating Officer, Chief Information Officer and Innovation and Change Director. Before Virgin Money, Fraser was Chief Operating Officer at Kleinwort Benson and Chief Information Officer of Citizens Bank in the USA.

Skills and experience

Over 35 years’ experience in financial services.
Wide-ranging experience across businesses, functions, and geographies.
Expertise in business transformation, IT, and change management.
Responsible for the Society’s day-to-day operations, including technology services, supply chain, data and AI, risk and resilience, change delivery, and customer support.

Other roles

Director of Norwich & Peterborough (LBS) Limited.
Picture of Holly Rankin

Holly Rankin FCIPD

Chief People Officer
Joined the Society in 2024

Background and career

Holly has extensive experience in human resources, including senior leadership roles in major UK banks. Before joining YBS, she was Managing Director HR at Barclays Bank.


She previously served as HR Director for Community Banks and Wealth at Lloyds Banking Group and Head of HR for the Retail Network at Santander UK.

Skills and experience

Over 28 years’ experience in human resources, including 16 years in financial services.
Expertise in shaping and leading strategic people plans, culture change, talent and succession, reward, and leadership capability.
Responsible for shaping the Society’s culture and colleague experience, as well as overseeing reward and performance.

Other roles

None.
Picture of Simon Watson

Simon Watson

Chief Commercial Officer
Joined the Society in 2025

Background and career

Simon brings 14 years of senior leadership experience from NatWest Group. During his time there, he held key roles across personal and private banking, customer propositions, transformation, corporate affairs and brand.


He also led major business transformations and oversaw the acquisition and scaling of the RoosterMoney youth banking business.

Skills and experience

Extensive expertise in leading large-scale transformations within complex financial institutions.
Strong focus on customer and colleague engagement to improve service delivery and performance.
Inclusive and results-driven leadership style, fostering high-performing teams and sustainable growth.
Responsible for the Society’s customer strategy – covering digital, branch and telephony channels, savings and home ownership, digital channels, brand and marketing, and intermediary relationships, guided by customer preferences.

Other roles

None.

Who's on our Board

Meet the executive and non-executive directors who sit on our board and look after the financial interests of the Society and its members.

Corporate Governance

Read how corporate governance helps shape the way the Board protects the interests of the Society and its members.

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