The Co-operative Bank has welcomed Andrea Melville to lead its executive team. Andrea also becomes group chief commercial officer at Coventry Building Society, with responsibility for the Group’s trading performance and supporting the Group’s ongoing integration plans.
She joins the Bank’s first all-female top leadership team, with Jo Kenrick appointed as chair earlier this year.
Andrea has over 20 years of experience in financial services in the UK and abroad, including personal, commercial and private banking, having held senior roles at Santander and Lloyd’s Bank.
Jo’s career spans over 35 years and multiple sectors, including non-executive experience in utilities, financial services and property, and executive experience in retail, home improvement and house-building.
Coventry Building Society completed its acquisition of The Co-operative Bank at the beginning of this year. The Co-operative Bank has now become a subsidiary of Coventry Building Society, and the combination of the two organisations will see the 152-year-old Bank brought back under mutual ownership.
Female leadership has been an important part of The Co-operative Bank’s long-established history. Over 70 years before women in the UK got the vote, the Rochdale Pioneers who founded The Co-operative Wholesale Society established a democratic approach for all members, including women.
Jo Kenrick, chair of The Co-operative Bank, said: “We are proud to welcome Andrea as the new CEO of The Co-operative Bank. Her track record of innovation, strategic thinking and customer-first leadership makes her the ideal person to guide us through the next chapter. While our focus remains firmly on delivering value for our members and customers, this moment also stands as a symbol of what inclusive leadership can look like at the very top of UK financial services”.
Andrea Melville commented: “I’m honoured to join Coventry Building Society and The Co-operative Bank at such an exciting time. The values and strong heritage of both organisations align closely with my own and I’m looking forward to sharing my expertise in both retail and business banking and driving positive change for our customers, members and communities. I’m really looking forward to working with Jo and the wider leadership team to build on our strength and successes.”
