Board Members

As a mutual building society, protecting the interests of our members 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 members.

With more than 25 years’ experience in the financial services sector, Simon joined the Society as Chief Commercial Officer in 2022. A proven people and commercial leader, Simon has worked predominantly within the mutual sector having held senior leadership roles with Yorkshire Building Society, Tenet & You and as a Non-Executive Director at Leeds Credit Union.

Having relocated with his family from Yorkshire to the Furness Peninsula in 2022, Simon is passionate about the role the Society can play in supporting communities.

Key roles:

  • Chief Executive (Position subject to Regulatory approval)
  • Chair of Executive Committee
  • Member of Nominations Committee
  • Member of Assets & Liabilities Committee

Wider commitments:

  • Voluntary Non-Executive Director at Barrow BID
  • Voluntary Non-Executive Director at SAFA

LinkedIn profile

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 yet another highly unusual and challenging year.  

Key roles:

  • Chair of the Board
  • Chair of Nominations Committee 

LinkedIn profile

Diane has over 35 years’ financial experience primarily within the Asset Management sector. She has extensive Board experience and brings a combination of strong governance, commercial focus and client service. Having grown up in the region, Diane is committed to help the Society continue to develop and support its Members and the community they live in.  

Key roles:

  • Non-Executive Director
  • Member of Audit Committee 
  • Member of Remuneration Committee 
  • ESG Board Champion 

Wider commitments:

  • Chair of Legal & General Unit Trust Managers
  • Non-Executive Director of Morgan Stanley Fund Management (Ireland) Limited
  • Non-Executive Director of Morgan Stanley sponsored Investment Funds 

LinkedIn profile

Karen brings extensive Executive experience from her former role as Vice President at Expedia Group. She has an excellent Sales and Operations background from the financial services, Travel, and Telecoms sectors, including Multi channel and Digital strategy. Her time in one of the Virgin Group businesses has cemented her belief that happy people make  happy members, which enables a successful business.

Key roles:

  • Vice Chair of the Board
  • Member of Board Risk Committee
  • Member of Nominations Committee 

Wider commitments:

  • Non-Executive Director Ramsdens Financial Limited 
  • Non-Executive Director (pro bono) Manhealth CIC 

LinkedIn profile

Phillip brings to the table experience from a number of directorship and executive finance and risk roles including that of Finance Director at UK Asset Resolution, Provident Financial and the British Business Bank. During the past year he has stepped back from his executive roles and taken on two Non-Executive Board positions. He firmly supports our Member focussed strategy and his proven commercial, finance and treasury expertise is helping guide us towards a successful future.  

Key roles:

  • Chair of Audit Committee 
  • Member of Board Risk Committee 
  • Member of Nominations Committee 

Wider commitments:

  • Non-Executive Director and Chair of Audit Committee of Gatehouse Bank 
  • Non-Executive Director and Chair if Risk Committee of Pure Retirement 
  • Chair of Trustees of The Calisen Impact Charitable Trust 

LinkedIn profile

Andy has held numerous executive positions in the retail and commercial banking sectors throughout his 35-year career including as Chief Modernisation Officer of Yorkshire Water, 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:

  • Chair of Remuneration Committee 
  • Member of Board Risk Committee 
  • DE&I Board Champion 

Wider commitments:

  • Owner & Managing Director of Gustec Advisory Ltd 

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:

  • Senior Independent Director 
  • Chair of Board Risk Committee 
  • Member of Audit Committee 
  • Member of Remuneration Committee 
  • Consumer Duty Champion 

Wider commitments:

  • Peter is an active volunteer at his local food bank      

LinkedIn profile

Tom is a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years’ experience in the Financial Services industry, 15 of those within the Building Society sector. Tom has held Chief Financial Officer and other senior finance roles across a range of building societies, and has extensive experience across strategy, commercial finance and financial planning together with treasury and prudential risk management. 

Tom joined the Society in October 2024 and was co-opted to the Board as Interim Finance Director. He will step down from this role during 2025 when the Society welcomes back Laura Hamp from her maternity leave.  

Key roles:

  • Finance Director 
  • Member of Board Risk Committee 
  • Member of Assets & Liabilities Committee 
  • Member of Executive Committee 

Wider commitments:

  • Tom is currently studying for his Professional Certificate in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning with MIT  
  • He recently completed his Executive MBA through Imperial College, London and achieved both Distinction and a place on the Dean’s List for Academic Excellence. 

Linkedin Profile