The Board of Directors

Robin Smith

I joined the Board in 1998 and became Chairman in March 2007.  Shortly thereafter the financial crisis began and it has been a privilege to chair a Board of committed and experienced directors as we responded successfully to the resulting challenges. I practised as a solicitor, ultimately becoming senior partner of my firm (now DLA Piper). I am a non-executive director of Bartlett Group (Holdings) Ltd. and of the Yorkshire County Cricket Club. I maintain my links with the Territorial Army and with a number of local and national charities.

Peter Hill

I joined the Society in 2001 and became Chief Executive on the 10th August 2011. I first joined the Board as Operations Director in August 2006 where I was responsible for the running of the Society's Head Office customer service units, IT and Property. As a chartered banker, I have over 30 years' experience in the Financial Services industry. My interests outside work revolve around my family, having two sons. I am also a keen golfer. I believe that the Society is best able to meet the needs of its membership by delivering outstanding customer service and remaining independent.

John Anderson

I joined the Board in 2006 as a result of the merger between Leeds Building Society and the Mercantile Building Society, of which I was Chairman. I am a great believer of mutuality and I am delighted to have joined a Board which is totally committed to mutual status. I hold several public / private partnership directorships and I am Chairman of City Hospitals Sunderland Foundation Trust. In my spare time I am a keen follower of cricket, being an honorary life member of Durham County Cricket Club.

Robin Ashton

I joined the Board as a non-executive director in May 2011. I have worked in retail financial services for more than 25 years and I am delighted to be a member of the Board of Leeds Building Society. I am a chartered accountant and qualified with Coopers & Lybrand in Leeds and have spent my career in retail financial services both in the UK and internationally. My previous executive roles include Treasurer, Finance Director and Chief Executive at Provident Financial plc, a FTSE 250 company. I am currently a non-executive Director at Shawcross Banka provider of prime second charge secured loans. I began my career in Leeds and have spent much of my life living and working in Yorkshire.

Carol Kavanagh

I joined the Board in 2005 and I am currently a member of the Society’s Remuneration Committee. I believe that my 25 years’ business experience provides value to customers and staff alike. I hold another position as Executive Group HR Director for Travis Perkins plc. I am a firm supporter of the benefits of mutuality and believe that this is the key to the continuing success of the Society and a major differentiator in the wider financial services sector. Outside work I devote most of my spare time to my family.

Les Platts

I joined the Board in 2010 and I am a member of the Credit and Remuneration Committees. I am a Chartered Accountant and was the Senior Partner for Deloitte in their Leeds office. The Society, with its proud history and firm commitment to mutuality, is a very strong part of the Leeds business community. I am also a director of a pensions administration business. I am married with two children and outside of work I support the NSPCC. I am also a keen follower of cricket, football and rugby.

Abhai Rajguru

I joined the Board in 2008 having spent my career in the financial services sector. I hold a number of directorships including a private equity firm and a hospital trust. I serve on the Society's Audit, Assets & Liabilities and Group Risk Committees. I am proud to be a member of the Board of the Society, which, as a mutual, has remained focussed on delivering value to its members. Much of my time outside work is taken up by my young son, and I also enjoy music, films and motorsports.

Kim Rebecchi

I joined the Board in December 2009, having worked for the Society since 1988. I am Chairman and Director of our successful subsidiary company, Leeds Financial Services Ltd. Being Leeds born and bred, it is an honour to be on the Board of the only mutually owned financial services organisation with its Head Office in Leeds. Outside work, I enjoy cooking for family and friends, walking in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside and reading

Ian Robertson

I joined the Board in 2008 and am a member of the Audit, Group Risk and Credit Committees. I was delighted to join such a highly regarded local institution and to work with the Society in further enhancing its reputation as a leading example of the benefits of mutuality. I was President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland in 2004/5 and I am currently Chairman of the Audit Advisory Board of the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body and a Director of the Homes and Communities Agency for England. Outside of work, I am a keen reader and love music.

Bob Stott

I was appointed to the Board in 2008, following my retirement as a director of Wm Morrison Supermarkets plc. I currently serve on the Society's Audit, Assets and Liabilities and Remuneration Committees. I hold three other directorships and I am also a Trustee of the YCCC Charitable Youth Trust. Mutuality for me means that our endeavours can be focused entirely on our members and I intend to play my part in keeping it this way. Outside work I enjoy spending time with my family and I follow most team sports.