Haydn, who joined the Board of Directors as a non-executive director in 2010, and became Vice Chairman in 2012, has over 29 years’ senior management and board experience in the building society sector.
Cardiff born Haydn graduated from Aberystwyth University before qualifying as a solicitor. He then became a partner in a private practice before joining the Legal Division of the Welsh Office.
He subsequently became a Senior Executive with Principality Building Society, being appointed Society Secretary and later a director of the Society until retiring from executive office. During that period he was also a member of the Building Societies Association Legal Panel. He is currently Deputy Chairman of the University of South Wales and a Non-Executive director of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
Paul Sheppard, who was appointed as a Non-Executive Director in 2005, has been appointed as Vice-Chairman of the Society.
Paul is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and spent almost thirty years working at Deloitte, including eighteen as an audit partner delivering both internal and external audit services. He went on to work in audit regulation with a continued focus on banking and, in addition, served for nine years as a board member of a specialist university.
Commenting on his appointment, Haydn said:
“Since joining the Board of Directors, I have witnessed the Society’s very impressive growth, including the recent notable achievement of £1billion of assets. The leadership and expertise demonstrated by the Board has made a significant contribution to the Society’s continuing success, and I feel privileged to be a part of that.”
Haydn continued:
“As Chairman, I will continue to put the interests of our members at the forefront of all our business activity. As an independent mutual organisation, it is vital we continue to deliver competitive products and a first rate service to our customers, whilst maintaining prudent management to allow the Society to continue to flourish. I would personally like to pay tribute to Robert Williams whose leadership has helped steer the Society’s to the position of fifteenth largest building society in the UK, complemented by considerable expansion of our branch and agency network.”
Robert Williams welcomed Haydn’s appointment, commenting:
“I’m delighted that Haydn has been elected to succeed me as Chairman. With his extensive legal background, allied to his comprehensive understanding and experience of the building society sector, the board is confident that his ongoing contribution will continue to strengthen the Society’s strategic position.”
In the twelve months to 30th April 2014, the Newport-based mutual Society experienced 10.3% growth, whilst profit after tax reached £4.0m. In September 2014, the Society announced the achievement of one billion pounds in assets.
