Management
Nationwide is run day-to-day by a senior management team overseen by an elected Board of Directors.
Board of Directors
Geoffrey Howe (58)
Chairman
Geoffrey Howe joined the Board in 2005 and became Chairman of the Society in July 2007. He brings considerable regulatory, management and legal experience to the Board. He is currently Chairman of Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group plc and a Director of Investec plc. Geoffrey was formerly Chairman of Railtrack Group plc, a Director and General Counsel of Robert Fleming Holdings Ltd and Managing Partner of Clifford Chance.
Robert Walther (64)
Non-Executive Director & Senior Independent Director
Robert Walther joined the Board in 2002 and became Deputy Chairman in 2006 and Joint Deputy Chairman in August 2007. His background is in investment and insurance. Robert is currently Chairman of Nationwide Pension Fund, Portman Pension Fund and Fidelity European Values plc and a Non-executive Director of BUPA. He was formerly Chief Executive of Clerical Medical from 1995 to 2001 which he joined in 1965.
Bill Tudor John (63)
Non-Executive Director
Bill Tudor John joined the Board in August 2007 as Joint Deputy Chairman and was previously Chairman of Portman Building Society. Between 1972 and 2000 he was a Partner in the international law firm Allen & Overy, the last six years as the Senior Partner. He has considerable experience in the law and investment banking. He is currently a Director of Lehman Brothers, Wales In London Limited and Grainger plc and he is Deputy Chairman of the Financial Markets Law Committee and a fellow of Downing College, Cambridge.
Mark Nicholls (58)
Non-Executive Director
Mark Nicholls joined the Board in August 2007 and was previously a Non-executive Director of Portman Building Society. He has broad experience in financial markets and was a main Board Director of SG Warburg Group plc and Managing Director of the private equity group of the Royal Bank of Scotland. He is Chairman of EcoSecurities Group plc, Deputy Chairman of Venture Production plc and a Non-executive Director of Northern Investors Company plc and The Evolution Group plc.
Suzanna Taverne (48)
Non-Executive Director
Suzanna Taverne joined the Board in 2005. She brings considerable expertise in strategy, finance and management. She is currently a Director of FCE Bank plc and the Design Museum and Chair of One Parent Families|Gingerbread. Suzanna was formerly a Director of Imperial College London, Managing Director of the British Museum, Director of Strategy at Pearson plc, a consultant to Saatchi and Saatchi plc, Finance Director of The Independent and a senior manager at S.G. Warburg & Co Ltd.
Derek Ross (57)
Non-Executive Director
Derek Ross joined the Board in 2004. He is also Chairman of the Society's Audit Committee. He has extensive experience in audit and financial advisory services, particularly in areas of treasury and risk management. Prior to his appointment he was a senior partner of Deloitte & Touche LLP for 18 years and previously for seven years a corporate treasurer and tax manager with Black & Decker. He is currently a Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of European Central Counterparty Limited and of Access Bank.
Stella David (45)
Non-executive Director
Stella David joined the Board in 2003 and became Chairman of the Remuneration Committee in 2006. She brings considerable expertise in marketing, general management, branding and the management of consumer goods. She is Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for the international drinks group Bacardi Ltd and prior to this she was Vice President of their Global Operations.
Sue Ellen (59)
Non-Executive Director
Sue Ellen joined the Board in August 2007 and was previously a Non-executive Director of Portman Building Society. She brings broad experience in healthcare, leisure and financial services gained as the Managing Director of BUPA Health Services, Managing Director of United Racecourses and as a Non- executive Director of Birmingham Midshires and Asda. She is currently Chairman of West Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust and is a Director of Prudential Health Holdings Ltd and St. John Ambulance.
Graham Beale (49)
Chief Executive
Graham Beale joined the Society in 1985. He is a chartered accountant by training and was appointed to the Board as Group Finance Director in April 2003. He took up his current role as Chief Executive in April 2007. He is also a Non-executive Director of Visa Europe Limited and Visa Europe Services. Prior to his appointment to the Board, he worked extensively in the Finance function and held a number of senior, general management positions within the Society including Managing Director of a wholly owned property company and Divisional Director of Commercial Lending.
Stuart Bernau (58)
Group Retail Director
Stuart Bernau joined the Society in 1990 and was appointed to the Board in 1996. He is responsible for all aspects of the retail facing side of the business and is also a Director of various Society subsidiaries. Stuart is responsible for developing the Group's Distribution Strategy for the branch network, telephone channels and the internet as well as the Nationwide's Customer Service Strategy.
Mark Rennison (47)
Group Finance & Controls Director
Mark Rennison is a chartered accountant who joined the Society and was appointed to the Board in February 2007. He is responsible for Finance, Treasury, Audit, Business Protection, Risk Management and Legal & Compliance. He is a director of various Society subsidiaries. Prior to his appointment, Mark was a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP where he worked in the financial services practice with a specific focus on retail and corporate banking. He has also worked extensively with group treasury operations, leasing and asset finance businesses.
Matthew Wyles (49)
Non Retail Director
Matthew Wyles was appointed to the Board in August 2007 and was previously Group Development Director of Portman Building Society. Prior to joining Portman in 1997, Matthew was an executive director within the Global Reinsurance Division at the Willis Corroon Group specialising in mortgage risk. Matthew is responsible for three Divisions: Commercial Lending, Specialist Lending and Nationwide for Intermediaries. He is also a Director of various Society subsidiaries.
David Rigney (44)
Group Operations Director
David Rigney joined the Society in 1999 and was appointed to the Board in 2006. He is currently responsible for Member Account Administration, Information Technology, Business Services and Group Purchasing. He is also leading a transformation programme to complete the modernisation of the Society's systems. He is a Non-executive Director of HM Land Registry and a Director of various Society subsidiaries. Prior to joining the Society, David held a number of senior management positions in both the public and private sector.
Tony Prestedge (38)
Group Development Director
Tony Prestedge was appointed to the Board in August 2007 and was previously Group Operations Director of Portman Building Society. He has held a number of senior management and executive roles at Barclays plc, including Managing Director Home Finance and a Member of the Retail Banking Executive Committee. He is currently responsible for Change Management, Human Resources, Corporate Affairs, Group Strategy and Planning and Group Customer Experience. He is currently a Trustee of The Nationwide Foundation.
Senior management team
Graham Beale
Chief Executive
Mark Rennison
Group Finance & Controls Director
Stuart Bernau
Group Retail Director
David Rigney
Operations Director
Matthew Wyles
Non Retail Director
Tony Prestedge
Group Development Director
Tony Alexander
Divisional Director, Finance
Robin Bailey
Divisional Director, Insurance
Liam Coleman
Divisional Director, Treasury
Michael Humphreys
Divisional Director, Information Technology
Mark Jenkins
Divisional Director, Commercial
Russell Johnston
Divisional Director, Legal Compliance
Peter Leydon
Divisional Director, Intermediaries
Marlene Mason
Divisional Director, Member Account Administration
Steve Nowell
Divisional Director, Audit & Business Protection
Charles Reed
Divisional Director, Customer Service & Communications
John Wrighthouse
Divisional Director, Human Resources
Jeremy Wood
Divisional Director, Consumer Finance
Matthew Carter
Divisional Director, Mortgages & Savings
Mik Hodsdon
Divisional Director, Central Retail
Graeme Hughes
Divisional Director, Retail Network
Terry Kaye
Divisional Director, Change Management
Mark Gibbard
Divisional Director, Risk Management
Andy McQueen
Divisional Director, Specialist Lending