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Change of Chairman at the Furness

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After over 23 years on the Board at Furness Building Society, Chairman Avril Willis retired at last week’s Annual General Meeting. She will be replaced by Peter Hensman who became a non-executive director of the Furness in 2003 and has spent the last three years as Vice Chairman of the Society.

Mr Hensman studied Engineering at Cambridge University and subsequently qualified as a Chartered Accountant. He was Finance Director and then Managing Director of Gilbert Gilkes and Gordon, the Kendal engineers, between 1980 and 2000 and presently he is a director of various tourism related businesses including Ullswater Steamers and the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway. He is also a member of the Board of the Northwest Regional Development Agency, a director of Business Link Northwest as well as being Chairman of Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency and Kendal Futures Board.

Rob Cairns, Chief Executive of Furness Building Society, stated that 'after making such a tremendous contribution to the Society for approaching a quarter of a century, the wise counsel of Avril Willis will be very much missed but it is excellent for the Society to be able to replace her with someone as aptly qualified as Peter Hensman.'

Peter Hensman commented 'I am delighted to be taking on the Chairmanship of such a successful and strong Building Society as the Furness. The Society plays an important role not only as a safe home for savings and a source of good value mortgages but also as part of the community in the Furness area and across the North West. I look forward to working with the excellent team at the Furness to ensure that this continues.'