Board members

Gary Brebner
Chief Executive

Gary joined the Society in 2009 as Chief Executive, bringing to his role almost 30 years’ experience of working with and within financial services businesses. Prior to this he worked at KPMG (Consulting), Eagle Star, Royal Insurance and on leaving university he audited as an accountant with Price Waterhouse. 

As part of his role Gary is also the Money Laundering Reporting Officer and Company Secretary for the Society.

Michelle Wade
Customer Services Director

Michelle joined the Society in 2022, bringing with her over 30 years of experience in financial services.  Born in Nottinghamshire, she’s spent the last 20 years working around the UK. 

Michelle graduated from Loughborough University with a Masters degree in Management and Leadership, she’s an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and has been awarded Chartered Manager status by the Chartered Management Institute.

She’s married with two grown up children. In her spare time, she enjoys playing golf, spending time with family and friends and taking the dog on long country walks.

Rob Broadbent
Finance Director

Rob joined the Society in November 2022 as Finance Director. He has over 20 years of experience in the financial services sector. Prior to joining the Society, he was Finance Director at Leek Building Society for 3 years.

He is a Chartered Accountant having trained and qualified at Deloitte, working within their financial services practice auditing, and advising banks and building societies. His role at the Society involves leading the finance team, with responsibility for financial and regulatory reporting, and managing the Society’s liquidity, funding, and capital positions.

Rob is married with two children and enjoys skiing and spending time with his family.

Susan Lee
Risk and Compliance Director

Susan joined the Society in 2012 and was appointed to the Board in March 2023. Formerly the Society’s Head of Risk & Compliance she has over 25 years of experience in the financial services sector.

Susan is a chartered accountant. Prior to joining the Society, she worked for KPMG within their financial services practice, this included involvement in audit and advisory services for a range of banks and building societies.

Susan lives in Leicestershire. In her spare time, she enjoys walking, reading and baking.

Helen Sachdev
Chair of the Board

Helen joined the board in May 2017.  Helen currently holds a number of appointments across the property and education sectors.  With over 18 years’ experience of Retail and 8 years of Retail Banking, Helen brings a depth of knowledge, as well as customer led strategic thinking to the Society.  Helen is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and is an accredited Ashridge coach.

Helen is a mother of two grown up children and is committed to making the world a better place for working parents.

Roger Barlow
Deputy Chair

Roger joined the Board in March 2019.  He is a Chartered Accountant and former partner with KPMG.

He holds a number of Non Executive Directorships including a challenger Bank and an AIM listed company and was previously a Non Executive Director of a northern Building Society.

 Roger is married with two grown up children and an active grandson. He enjoys skiing, overseas travel and family time. 

Jane Pilcher
Non-Executive Director

Jane joined the Board in May 2016 following ten years as a Non-Executive Director at the Cambridge Building Society.

She is also Group Treasurer at Anglian Water Group and a Fellow of the Association of Corporate Treasurers. Jane brings expertise in key issues such as treasury strategy, derivatives and management of liquidity. Prior to her career as a Group Treasurer, Jane was involved in corporate banking in the City of London and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers.

She enjoys overseas travel, gardening, family time and walking her two dogs.

Rachel Curtis
Non-Executive Director

Rachel joined the Board as a Non-Executive Director in December 2018. Rachel has over 25 years’ experience in financial services, having worked for both building societies and banks.  She brings expertise in the key areas of Marketing, Customer Service and Savings, and is also a qualified Executive Coach.

Rachel lives in Leicestershire with her family and spends her spare time transporting her children to various sporting events and supporting Leicester Tigers

Caroline Ashton
Non-Executive Director

Caroline joined the board in March 2020. She is a qualified Chartered Management Accountant and has previously worked at Leeds Permanent and Yorkshire Building Societies.

She has 20 years Executive Director experience at TD Direct Investing (online stockbrokers) and Tenet Group (independent investment and mortgage advice support group) and brings in-depth Finance, Risk and Regulatory experience. She also brings experience in significant digital projects.

Caroline lives in Leeds with her family and enjoys skiing, travel and gardening.