The Board of Directors

Brendan McCafferty - Independent Non-Executive Director
Appointed: Independent Non-Executive Director in September 2024, and Chair* in March 2025.

Board committees: Nominations (Chair*) and Remuneration committees.

Skills and experience: Brendan is a chartered management accountant with broad financial services experience, including insurance and pensions. He is currently Chair of the Board of Nest Corporation (National Employment Savings Trust) and is Chair of a specialist business in the insurance industry. Brendan has successfully led major transformational strategic change in regulated financial institutions as CEO. He has also been at the forefront of public body collaborations between industry and government.

Other roles:
- Chair of Nest Corporation
- Non-Executive Director of Academy Insurance Services and its connected entities
- Trustee of Blueprint for Better Business Trust
- Trustee of Catholic Diocese of Salford and its connected entities
“I believe passionately that business should be a force for good, by pursuing a clear and compelling purpose. I bring a spectrum of financial services experience and understand how government and other complex stakeholders are best engaged. I am pleased to have joined the Society as a non-executive director and look forward to bringing my skills and experiences to the board.”

* Due to take up the role during the first half of 2025 subject to regulatory approval.
Richard Fearon - Chief Executive Officer
Appointed: Executive Director in February 2016 and Chief Executive Officer in February 2019.

Skills and experience: Before joining Leeds Building Society Richard spent 16 years in financial services in roles spanning risk management, mortgages and savings. Richard has an excellent understanding of product development to meet customer needs, as well as strong strategic and commercial skills. As CEO, Richard’s responsibilities include promoting the long-term success of the Society and leading the development and implementation of the Society’s strategy and purpose in the interest of its members and other stakeholders.

Other roles:
- Director of UK Finance Limited
- Chair of the UK Finance Audit & Oversight Committee
- Member of the UK Finance Mortgages Product and Service Board
“My main responsibility is the day-to-day running of the Society. This involves leading the management team so that we can operate in the best interests of our members and deliver our purpose, as a mutual building society. Our members are at the heart of every decision we make and my ambition is to continue putting home ownership within reach of more people, generation after generation.”
Annette Barnes - Independent Non-Executive Director
Appointed: February 2019, and will succeed Gareth Hoskin as Vice Chair and Senior Independent Director in 2025*.

Board committees: Remuneration (Chair), Board Risk and Nominations committees.

Skills and experience: Before joining the Society, Annette was CEO at Lloyds Bank Private Banking Ltd and Managing Director of Wealth & Mass Affluent for Lloyds Banking Group. Annette has over 35 years’ experience in financial services and has a background in operations, technology and customer engagement. Annette also has recent board and regulatory experience.

Annette is Chair of the Remuneration Committee and as such, part of Annette’s role is to make sure the Society has the right reward structures in place, to foster our mutual culture and to attract and retain the talent we need to deliver on our purpose.

Other roles:
- Non-Executive Director, Chair of Remuneration Committee and Senior Independent Director of GlobalData plc
- Non-Executive Director, Chair of Remuneration and Nominations committees of Stratos Markets Ltd
“As the Consumer Duty Champion, I work closely with the business and the board to ensure our customer and colleague needs are a key area of focus. I also make sure we work to a high level of conduct and deliver positive customer outcomes.”

* Due to take up the role during the first half of 2025.
Farah Buckley - Independent Non-Executive Director
Appointed: April 2023.

Board committees: Audit and Board Risk committees. Farah will succeed Gareth Hoskin as Audit Committee Chair* in 2025.

Skills and experience: Farah has spent over 23 years working within financial services. Having initially qualified as a chartered accountant at Deloitte, Farah has had a successful executive career, with a focus on private equity and corporate finance, most recently with Hermes GPE and Schroder Adveq. Farah has also held a variety of board roles which includes a portfolio of non-executive positions within financial services institutions. This has given Farah extensive experience in audit, investment, strategy, risk and ESG.

Other roles:
- Non-Executive Director Aurora UK Alpha plc
- Non-Executive Director Caledonia Investments plc
- Non-Executive Director Apollo Syndicate Management Limited
“As a chartered accountant, I bring relevant skills and insight to the Society. My role on the Audit Committee is to make sure our financial statements are fair, balanced and include all the information needed to assess our performance. My responsibilities include safeguarding and assessing the effectiveness, performance and independence of the Internal Audit function, as well as monitoring the integrity of external financial reporting.”

* Due to take up the role during the first half of 2025.
Andrew Conroy - Chief Financial Officer
Appointed: Chief Financial Officer in July 2019 and Executive Director in January 2020.

Skills and experience: Andrew has over 20 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 Chair of Assets and Liabilities Committee and Balance Sheet Optimisation Group. He has responsibility for our Finance, Treasury, Data and Third-Party Management functions, along with oversight of its recovery and resolution plan and associated activities.

Other roles:
- Trustee for Saltmine Trust
“As CFO I have a responsibility for managing the Society’s finances and one focus is to make sure we support our members and colleagues by safeguarding the Society’s financial position. Our financial strength remains robust and we’re in a great position to invest in the future of the Society. As part of my role, I also regularly meet with the Prudential Regulation Authority to discuss the ways in which we maintain a safe and sound financial system.”
David Fisher - Non-Independent Non-Executive Director
Appointed: March 2012.

Skills and experience: With more than 30 years’ experience in financial services, David’s career began at Halifax Building Society. David later became the CEO of Sainsbury’s Bank. David has a substantial track record of board level leadership roles in retail financial services. Throughout David’s career, he’s developed a great deal of knowledge in retail financial services. He also has a strong understanding of risk management, pensions and HR. David has been a board member for nearly 12 years and continues to provide challenge, scrutiny and thoughtful discussion at both board and board committee meetings.

“My wide-ranging board level commercial experience enables me to provide both a strategic and an operational perspective on the challenges that the Society faces. As a member of the board my role is to ensure we are financially resilient and have systems in place to manage risks appropriately. With my long-standing tenure, I’ve been able to provide continuity and support to the board in its succession planning, including that of the Chair.”
Neil Fuller - Independent Non-Executive Director
Appointed: December 2020.

Board committees: Board Risk (Chair), Audit and Remuneration committees.

Strengths and experience: Neil has over 40 years’ experience in retail banking and financial services. Before joining the Society, Neil was the Chief Risk Officer and Executive Board Director at Bank of Ireland UK plc and Chief Risk Officer at GE Capital Bank Ltd. Neil also previously held a variety of roles including Risk Director and Chief Risk Officer in the UK retail division of Royal Bank of Scotland and NatWest.

Other roles:
- Non-Executive Director and Chair of Board Risk Committee of Cynergy Bank Limited
“Through my previous experience as Chief Risk Officer at different organisations I have a strong understanding of risk management and the principal risks facing the financial services industry. This supports me in my role as Chair of the Board Risk Committee. My role requires me to oversee the delivery of the Enterprise Risk Management Framework which is designed to encourage a culture of sound risk management and internal control. As part of this Board Risk Committee monitors the Society’s risk exposures. The ethics of a mutual resonate strongly with me and I very much enjoy working with the Society.”
Andrew Greenwood - Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Appointed: Executive Director in January 2015 and Deputy Chief Executive officer in May 2021.

Skills and experience: Andrew joined the Society as a solicitor in 1998 and has worked in a variety of roles. He was Chief Risk Officer from 2011 – 2022 and joined the board in 2015. Andrew has gained extensive experience in risk management and strategy development. He also has a strong knowledge of the organisation, its people and culture.

Andrew is responsible for the Customer and Risk Divisions, as well as the Property and Business Services function. Andrew is also Chair of our Inclusion and Diversity Steering Group, which supports the delivery of our inclusion and diversity strategy through the progression of our objectives in this area.

Other roles:
- Member of the UK Finance Sustainability Committee
- Member of Shared Ownership Council Senior Advisory Group
- Member of Clarion Housing Association Foresight Group
“As part of my role as Deputy CEO, I am responsible for managing climate-related risks. This includes developing our climate transition plans as we move forward in our net zero journey. A key aspect of this is reducing our carbon footprint and working with key stakeholders to help them to do the same. I’m a member of a number of risk-focused committees and Chair of the Cost Optimisation Group.”
Gareth Hoskin - Independent Non-Executive Director
Appointed: November 2015, Vice Chair and Senior Independent Director since January 2019.

Board committees: Audit (Chair), Board Risk, Nominations and Remuneration committees.

Skills and experience: Gareth has a great deal of experience in financial services having worked in the industry for over 30 years. This included almost 20 years at Legal & General plc, as a director and CEO of the international division. Before this, Gareth was a chartered accountant at PWC.

Gareth’s responsibilities as Chair of the Audit Committee include safeguarding the independence of the Internal Audit function and acting as our Whistleblowing Champion.

Other roles:
- Non-Executive Director and Chair of Audit Committee of Saga plc
- Non-Executive Director and Chair of Acromas Insurance Company Ltd
“Over the last year I have worked closely with our new external auditor, Ernst & Young LLP, to ensure a smooth transition. As Chair of the Audit Committee, it’s 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. My other responsibilities include safeguarding and assessing the effectiveness, performance and independence of the Internal Audit function, as well as monitoring the integrity of external financial reporting. Additionally, I act as our whistleblowing champion and ensure our culture welcomes open and transparent discussions.”
Rob Howse - Chief Operating Officer
Appointed: Chief Operating Officer in September 2019 and Executive Director in May 2021.

Skills and experience:Before joining Leeds Building Society, Rob spent over ten years working in senior executive technology, operations and change roles. This was mainly at RBS and Lloyds Banking Group, where he was focused on retail banking. His earlier career included time in telecoms and the Royal Navy. Rob also worked as an associate partner at McKinsey and Company where he specialised in advising multinational clients on the design and execution of transformation programmes.

As Chief Operating Officer, Rob is Chair of the Executive Transformation and Operational Resilience committees.

Other roles:
- Member of the UK Finance Digital, Technology and Cyber Product and Service Board
- Governor, Trustee and Director of The Grammar School at Leeds
“My responsibilities include areas in technology, transformation and operational resilience, where I have extensive experience. One of my key priorities is the successful delivery of the Society’s multi-year technology transformation programme. This will create increased technical resilience and functionality, enabling us to provide our members with the best possible experience and interaction with the Society.”
Pam Rowland - Independent Non-Executive Director
Appointed: May 2023.

Board committees: Audit, Board Risk, Nominations and Remuneration committees.

Skills and experience: Pam is a chartered banker and has over 30 years’ financial services experience. Her most recent executive role was Chief Operating Officer at Paragon Banking Group Plc. Prior to working at Paragon, Pam was Managing Director Change Delivery at Barclays UK Retail Bank and Chief Operating Officer at ING Direct. Pam has extensive experience in operations, people leadership and customer led and digital transformation programmes.

Other roles:
- Non-Executive Director of Saga Services Ltd
“My experience of financial services operations and transformation programmes is relevant to the progressive agenda at the Society. In my role as a board member, I promote a strong customer-centric and people-focused culture. I will be taking up the role of Colleague Engagement Champion and look forward to meeting with colleagues to discuss their experiences and understand any changes they’d like to see within the business.”
Anita Tadayon - Independent Non-Executive Director
Appointed: October 2021.

Board committees: Board Risk Committee.

Skills and experience: Anita has held a number of senior roles and has extensive expertise in combining technology and change, along with the development and design of customer journeys. Previously Anita worked in transformation, digital and technology for Sky, British Gas and BT Business. During Anita’s time at British Gas, she was responsible for the conduct team within customer operations which has enhanced her FCA regulatory knowledge. Anita also has an MBA from London Business School.

Other roles:
- Director of Planning, Transformation and Performance at Virgin Media O2
- Director of Tadayon Consulting Limited
“With over 25 years’ knowledge and experience I add value to the board discussions, particularly in transformation and IT/digital areas. I also provide different insights which helps me to support the Society on its digital journey. I’m passionate about the values associated with mutuality and continue to bring further strength and diversity to the board.”