Skipton Building Society appoints its first woman chair in 169 years

Skipton Building Society will appoint Gwyn Burr as its new chair this spring.

Joining the Society’s Board as non-executive chair, Burr will take up her role on 26 April when current chair, Robert East, retires from the Board.

East has served the Society’s Board as chair for the past five years and before that as a non-executive director also for five years. In 2020 he agreed to an additional year’s service as the pandemic led to a suspension of the process to find his successor.

A Yorkshire resident and graduate of the University of Bradford, Burr brings wide ranging executive experience in marketing and customer service, thanks to the director-level positions she has held at Asda and Sainsbury’s.

She also brings significant financial services experience, having previously held non-executive positions with Principality Building Society, Sainsbury’s Bank PLC and the Financial Ombudsman Service.

East said: “Her extensive executive and non-executive experience across a number of different sectors and financial services will be invaluable as the Society continues to grow and develop.

“Gwyn is the first women to chair Skipton in its 169-year history and was born and lives in Yorkshire close to Skipton.

“She combines a straightforward and thoughtful approach with a focus on delivering excellent customer service and leading people in a way that engages and enables them to deliver for customers.”

Burr added: “It is with great pride that I look to take up my role at Skipton. Already an existing customer, I have experienced first-hand the fantastic service the Society offers.

“As customer behaviours in dealing with their financial affairs in a post-pandemic world continues to evolve, I look forward to working with the team in meeting the new challenges this brings.”