PRESS RELEASE
Friday 1st
November
SKIPTON APPOINTS HASINTHA
GUNAWICKREMA TO ITS BOARD
Today (Friday 1 November) Skipton
Building Society, part of the Skipton Group,
announces the appointment of Hasintha Gunawickrema to its Board as non-executive director.
This is subject to regulatory approval.
After starting her career at Barclays as a
financial analyst, Hasintha went on to hold a number of executive
positions at HSBC Bank PLC (Group), including Management
Accountant, Head of Business Management, Chief Control Officer
(CCO) and Chief Operating Officer (COO). Managing Director and
Chief Control Officer was her last position at HSBC. She worked for
HSBC Bank PLC (Group) for 16 years in India and the UK.
Joining Skipton's Board, Hasintha brings an
impressive academic and career background. She is also an
alumnus of Harvard Business School and a Member of the Chartered
Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) - UK. With two decades
of experience in the financial services industry, Hasintha has
built a solid track record of success in leadership roles across
the UK, Europe, and Asia.
Throughout her career, Hasintha has led on
numerous large-scale initiatives aimed at driving business growth
and enhancing risk management capabilities. These initiatives have
included business, risk, digital, and culture transformation
programs, aimed at improving enterprise-wide risk management and
business growth. In addition to her professional accomplishments,
Hasintha is committed to leadership development, she is a
passionate leadership coach and mentor, dedicated to empowering
future leaders.
In joining the Skipton Board, Hasintha will
have oversight of the Skipton Group, a collection of businesses
spanning the housing, IT, and financial services industries. The
Group, which employs around 18,000 people, includes:
·
Skipton Building
Society - the UK's 4th largest building society with
over one-million members. Established 170 years ago, Skipton
provides residential mortgages, savings, and financial
advice.
·
Connells
Group - the largest, most successful and most profitable
high street estate agency and property services provider in the UK.
Connells trade under 80 brands from over 1,200 estate agency
branches across the UK.
·
Skipton
International - is established in Guernsey. It offers a
range of residential mortgage options for Channel Island residents
and UK Buy-To-Let products for non-UK residents, in addition to
Sterling and US Dollar offshore savings accounts.
·
Skipton
Business Finance - a business financial services
provider with over 20 years' experience of providing tailored
finance solutions to businesses across the UK.
·
Jade - based predominantly
in New Zealand Jade leverages emerging and existing technologies to
deliver software solution products.
Gwyn Burr, Chair of the Skipton
Group, said:
"Hasintha's appointment to the Board
reflects our commitment to bringing in leaders with proven
expertise, diverse perspectives, and a deep understanding of the
financial services sector. Her experience across international
markets, coupled with her passion for transformation and leadership
development, will be a great asset to Skipton as we continue to
grow. We are delighted to welcome Hasintha to the Skipton Group and
look forward to the impact she will have on the Group's future
success."
Commenting on her appointment
Hasintha said:
"I am incredibly honoured to join the Board of
Skipton as a Non-Executive Director. Skipton's mission, helping
people into homes, saving for the future, and enjoying long-term
financial security, resonates deeply with my own values. I firmly
believe that financial services have the potential to create
meaningful and positive changes in people's lives. As a mutual
organisation owned by its members, Skipton's focus on giving back
to the community and prioritising its members' needs is something I
admire and am passionate about. I look forward to working alongside
my fellow board members and the Skipton team to further advance
these shared goals, making a real difference in people's lives
through integrity, responsibility, and a commitment to their
long-term well-being."
ENDS
Journalists
- For
further information on this release, or if you would like any
insight and data on house prices, mortgages and savings from across
the Skipton Group or commentary and case studies please
contact:
Joe
Dearnley
Corporate
Communications
joe.dearnley@skipton.co.uk
If outside Press
Office hours (8.30am - 5pm, Monday to Friday),
please call 07793 699 878.
Notes To Editors
1. Skipton Group is
creating an impact at the centre of the UK housing sector. The
Group is made up of key businesses from across the housing and
financial industry which includes Skipton Building
Society, the UK's largest
estate agency and property services
provider, Connells
Group, which helps over one in
ten of individuals buying and selling homes; offshore finance
capability Skipton
International; Skipton
Business Finance and Jade
Software Corporation
2. Skipton Group is taking a
leading role in the acceleration of greening homes across the UK.
Skipton Building Society in partnership with Vibrant (also part of
the Skipton Group) is providing all of its 1.1 million members with
free EPC Plus home assessments and bespoke reports for their
properties - the first of its kind EPC Plus - Skipton Building
Society
3. Skipton was the first Cash
Lifetime ISA (LISA) provider and remains one of the biggest
providers helping over 159,000 first time buyers save for their
first home.
4. Skipton was named the number
three Best Big Company to Work
For in the 2022 national league table, and has held 3-star
Big Companies accreditation since 2021.
Skipton Building Society, Principal Office: The Bailey
Skipton, BD23 1DN
Skipton Building Society is a member of the Building Societies
Association. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and
regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential
Regulation Authority, under registration number 153706, for
accepting deposits, advising on and arranging mortgages and
providing Restricted financial advice. Principal Office, The
Bailey, Skipton, North Yorkshire BD23 1DN.