Leeds Building Society said it appointed Brendan McCafferty as Chair with effect from 1March 2025, subject to regulatory approval. 

He will succeed Iain Cornish following his announcement in January that he would not seek a third term as Chair.

McCafferty has been a Non-Executive Director at Leeds Building Society, the UK’s fifth-largest, since September. He is a chartered management accountant with extensive financial services experience, including across the insurance and pensions sectors.

He is currently Chair of Nest Corporation, a position he has held since February 2022, and was previously CEO (Intermediated and Direct) at AXA Insurance UK plc and the founding CEO of Flood Re Ltd, a venture between the government and the insurance industry.  

McCafferty said: “I look forward to working with the rest of the Board, Executive team, and colleagues across the Society to build on its success and ensure we remain well-positioned to serve our members.”

Richard Fearon, Leeds Building Society’s Chief Executive, said: “Brendan holds a wealth of leadership experience which will be of huge benefit to the Society.

“I and the rest of the Board are looking forward to working with him as we enter our 150th year of providing a strong and secure place for savers’ money and putting homeownership within reach of more people generation after generation.”