‘As Chair of the Group’s Board Risk Committee, my focus is on making sure the risks of combining the Coventry Building Society and The Co-operative Bank are effectively mitigated. We don’t want to lose our focus on managing the day-to-day risks of running the Society’s mortgage and savings businesses.
Acquiring The Co-operative Bank was the most significant undertaking the Society has ever made. Excellent risk management is essential to us ensuring we deliver an excellent return on the members’ reserves used to make the purchase.'
Martin Stewart
Independent Non-Executive Director
Appointed to the Board
September 2018
Committee membership
Chair of the Board Risk Committee and Member of the Board Audit Committee.
Experience
Martin has wide-ranging experience within the financial services sector. He was the Director of Banks, Building Societies and Credit Unions at the Bank of England, and Head of UK Banks and Mutuals at the Financial Services Authority (now the Financial Conduct Authority). Martin also spent ten years in various senior roles at Yorkshire Building Society.
External appointments
Non-Executive Director and Chair of Northern Bank Limited (Danske Bank UK) and member of the Independent Football Regulatory Expert Panel.
‘I’m excited about the Society’s future following our purchase of The Co-operative Bank. Providing great service will always be a big priority for us, and as we move forward together, we’ll continue this focus enhancing the support we offer, keeping your money safe and secure.
Interest rates reduced twice in 2024 and at each change we sought to balance the needs of all members, both savers and borrowers, whilst continuing to offer you fantastic service. We’ve answered calls quickly once again, bringing our call waiting times down even further and made headway to digitise our service so we can reach more members than ever.’
