Former Eversheds chairman takes YBS role

YORKSHIRE Building Society has appointed John Heaps as chairman.

Heaps, who will succeed retiring Ed Anderson in April, is the former chairman of corporate law firm Eversheds, having served on its board since 2008 and before that its senior management team since 1999.

Since standing down as chairman of Eversheds earlier this year, he has continued his role as a litigation partner and will remain with the firm until April.

Lynne Charlesworth, vice chairman of Yorkshire Building Society, said: “Under Ed’s leadership the Society has completed a number of mergers and acquisitions, with its assets growing from £20bn to in excess of £35bn. Throughout this time Ed has provided outstanding leadership and helped to successfully steer the organisation through the recession and global economic crisis. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ed for his excellent leadership and contribution to the Society and wish him well for the future.

“I am delighted that John has accepted the role of chairman. He has the experience and skills required to chair the Board of a large organisation operating in a highly regulated industry. This combined with his proven track record for innovation and successful strategic leadership, makes him the ideal candidate to take the Society forward.”

Heaps added: “Ed has led the Yorkshire extremely well through a period of considerable change. Under his leadership the Society has gone from strength to strength, despite the hugely turbulent global economic climate and I look forward to building on his great legacy.”