Board Members
As a mutual building society, protecting the interests of our customers is our top priority. Our board members ensure the success and long-term sustainability of Furness Building Society by thoroughly challenging and evaluating our business strategy. Here you’ll find an overview of our board members and how their experience and insight helps to provide an accessible and well-rounded service for our customers.
Chris Harrison
Chief Executive
Chris joined us in 2017 and his strong vision and determination to instill a high performance culture have had a hugely positive impact on our transformation into a modern and competitive building society. He’s committed to maintaining our strong community values and social responsibility and shaping a sustainable future for our members. Previous roles include President and CEO of Assurant Solutions Europe.
Key roles:
- Chief Executive
- Member of the Nomination Committee
- Chairman of the Executive Committee
- Member of the Assets and Liabilities Committee
Graham Berville
Chairman
Responsible for leading the Board of Directors, Graham has over 30 years’ experience in the financial sector, including work with six mutual financial services companies. His sound understanding of governance, risk and conduct requirements has been instrumental in steering us through another highly unusual year.
Key roles:
- Chairman
- Chairman of the Nomination Committee
Wider commitments:
- Chair of Keycare Limited
- Chair of Yorkshire Cancer Research
- Chair of Keycare Assistance Limited (Eire)
Kim Rebecchi
Vice Chairman
Kim brings 30 years’ experience in the mutual sector to our Board and is committed to instilling the benefits of mutuality to our members and local communities. Kim held a position at Leeds Building Society for 28 years, most recently as an executive member of the Board. Her in-depth knowledge of the sector and marketplace plays a critical role in supporting and guiding the Chairman and is valued greatly by the Management team.
Key roles:
- Vice Chairman
- Member of the Nomination Committee
- Member of the Audit Committee
Wider commitments:
- Director of Redmayne Bentley Stockbrokers LLP
- Director of Cynergy Bank Limited
Nic Gower
Chairman of the Audit Committee
Nic has enjoyed a long and successful career, with the majority spent as a partner at PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP specialising in audit and risk management. As our longest-serving Board member, his experience and insight continues to be highly valued by all Directors.
Key roles:
- Senior Independent Director
- Chairman of the Audit Committee
- Whistleblowing Champion
- Member of the Board Risk Committee
- Member of the Nomination Committee
Wider commitments:
- Director of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Phillip McLelland
Chairman of the Board Risk Committee
Phillip brings to the table experience from a number of directorship and senior finance roles including that of Finance Director at UK Asset Resolution, Provident Financial and the British Business Bank. He firmly believes in our ‘member first’ model and his proven commercial, finance and treasury expertise is helping guide us towards a successful future.
Key roles:
- Chairman of the Board Risk Committee
- Member of the Audit Committee
- Member of the Remuneration Committee
Wider commitments:
- Finance Director of Calisen
Andy Haywood
Non-Executive Director
Andy has held numerous executive positions in the retail and commercial banking sectors throughout his career, including as Chief Operating Officer at N Brown plc and roles at The Cooperative Group and Boots. His skills and experience in complex areas of technology and change management play a vital role in protecting members and safeguarding our future.
Key roles:
- Member of the Board Risk Committee
- Member of the Remuneration Committee
- Climate Change Champion
Wider commitments:
- Chief Information Officer for Yorkshire Water
Peter Rogerson
Non-Executive Director
Peter has worked in the financial industry for more than 30 years, including holding senior roles at Virgin Money and Alliance & Leicester. His extensive strategic, commercial and management experience is an asset to the Board, along with his passionate belief that everyone has the right to own their own home.
Key roles:
- Member of the Board Risk Committee
- Member of the Remuneration Committee
Wider commitments:
- Trustee of Newcastle West End Food Bank
Charity - Director of Redcar and Cleveland Voluntary Development Agency Housing Community Interest Company
- Director of Whitworth West Management
Company Limited
Elaine O'Dwyer
Chief Risk Officer
Elaine joined us in January 2021 as Chief Risk Officer following an extensive career in the financial services industry including Tesco Bank, HBOS, MBNA and Santander. Elaine’s experience spans across products, both secured/unsecured, customer lifecycle and has significant knowledge in Credit Risk. She is committed to reducing the carbon footprint of the Society.
Key roles:
- Chief Risk Officer
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Member of the Assets and Liabilities
Committee
Laura Hamp
Finance Director
Laura joined the Society in 2019 as Head of Financial Change and took on the role of Interim Finance Director in September 2022.
She is a qualified Chartered Accountant with over 15 years’ experience in audit, insurance and financial services, including 7 years of senior leadership in the Building Society sector. She has extensive experience of prudential risk management and statutory accounting. Laura’s financial management skills and championing of the mutual sector support our continued and long-term sustainability.
Key roles:
- Interim Finance Director
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Member of the Assets & Liabilities
Committee - Member of the Board Risk Committee
Pam Mawson
Director of Operational Resilience and Strategic Change
Pam joined Furness in 1988 and hold extensive knowledge of our business, having held several managerial positions prior to her appointment as Group Secretary in 2015 and Chief Compliance Officer in 2017. Pam is passionate about working for a regionally-based building society whose customer interests are central to the culture of our organisation.
Key roles:
- Group Secretary
- Chief Compliance Officer
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Member of the Assets and Liabilities
Committee