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Furness Building Society Announces New Chairman

the new Chairman

At Furness Building Society's recent Board Meeting, it was agreed to appoint Barrow born Avril Casson Willis as the Society's new Chairman. She is one of only a handful of women Chairmen in the Building Society Movement and the first ever female Chairman of Furness Building Society.

Mrs Willis has been a Director of the Society since March 1998 and became Vice Chairman in April 2005.

Avril Willis said, "I am thrilled to have been appointed as Chairman of the Society at such an exciting and interesting time. Furness Building Society has a long tradition of benefiting its members, staff and the communities that it serves. A tradition I will endeavour to uphold."

"The current state of the financial markets can mean that the stability and mutual approach of Furness Building Society is better placed to serve existing members and potential new customers" she stated.

"I also become Chairman at the time when the Society has launched its excellent new brand positioning. This builds on the Society's traditional values and gives it a 21st Century, modern, approachable and unique character" added Mrs Willis.

Chief Executive Rob Cairns expressed his thanks for the hard work and achievement of the retiring Chairman Michael Hart and went on to say "I am very delighted that Avril has been elected as our new Chairman as I know she will continue Michaels's good work."

Avril Willis has a BA and an MBA degree, is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and is currently also Vice Chairman of an NHS Hospital trust. She was National Director for Quality and Standards with the Learning & Skills Council as well as a Senior Inspector of Colleges. She was also Chief Executive of the Furness Business Initiative.

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For more information, contact:

Rob Cairns
Chief Executive
Furness Building Society
51-55 Duke Street
Barrow-in-Furness
Cumbria LA14 1RT
Tel: 01229 824560