Richard joined Nationwide in 2016, after establishing and building the UK operations of communications consultancy Teneo between 2012-16, where he advised major firms across financial services, mining, telecoms and manufacturing. He previously spent 17 years with HSBC, culminating as a Group General Manager and Global Communications Director.
At Nationwide, he was responsible for reputation management and external stakeholder relations, in addition to shaping the Society’s strategy, competitor insight and agreeing the annual operating plan.
Joe Garner, Chief Executive Officer, said: “Richard made a valuable contribution to assembling our new strategy, ‘building society nationwide’, and helped reset our narrative to tell a clearer story about membership and what makes Nationwide truly different. Under his leadership of the area, we started to redefine what profits mean for a mutual Society, further extended our sector-leading press coverage, and achieved recent highs of rapport among UK policymakers”.
Richard commented: “I have enjoyed being part of Nationwide’s story for the last two years. My mother’s advanced condition means it’s time to move her back to the UK for us and the children to spend some proper time together. I’ll aim to take on a new challenge next year.”
Richard’s role has been reorganised across several communities at Nationwide. Tanya Joseph, who joined Nationwide earlier this year, will manage External Relations under Sara Bennison, Chief Marketing Officer. Deputy CEO, Tony Prestedge, has assumed responsibility for Richard’s responsibilities on strategy, in addition to his existing roles.
About Nationwide
Nationwide is the world's largest building society as well as one of the largest savings providers and a top-three provider of mortgages in the UK. It is also a major provider of current accounts, credit cards, ISAs and personal loans. Nationwide has around 15 million customers.
Customers can manage their finances in a branch, via the mobile app, on the telephone, internet and post. The Society has around 18,000 employees. Nationwide's head office is in Swindon with administration centres based in Northampton, Bournemouth and Dunfermline. The Society also has a number of call centres across the UK.
