Robert stepped into his position at the society’s Annual General Meeting last week, taking over from Tom Marshall who retired after six years as Chairman.
Robert, who lives in Bowdon, was a partner for 15 years in a firm of the Manchester solicitors, Slater Heelis, until 1989 and has been a non-executive director for the Cheshire since 2002. He was chairman of the Manchester Ship Canal Company for 15 years until 2002 and has developed his extensive leadership experience from his roles as deputy chairman of Peel Holdings Limited for the last 17 years, in addition to being Chairman of Peel Airports Limited and Liverpool Airport PLC.
Originally from Urmston, Robert also holds various external non-executive directorship roles, including Alfred McAlpine plc, Century Radio 105 Limited, as well as being a governor of the University of Manchester and chairman of the urban regeneration company, New East Manchester Limited.
Robert Hough said: “The Cheshire is a great regionally based building society, with a national reach and over 400,000 members. It is also an exceptional brand and I am delighted to have been appointed as its new Chairman.
“With a focus on providing the right services and products for our members, I am very much looking forward to leading the board on the formulation of our strategies and working with a highly energised management team.”
Chief executive of Cheshire Building Society, Karen McCormick added: “We are thrilled to welcome Robert Hough as the society’s new chairman and I am delighted that we have such a strong successor following Tom’s retirement.
“Robert is one of the most influential business personalities in the North West having made a substantial contribution to the region. Robert has an excellent reputation for providing vision and leadership which will help the Cheshire to realise our strong corporate plans.”
In addition to his board positions, Robert has made a substantial contribution to the regeneration of the North West region. He was the chairman of the organising committee of the Manchester Commonwealth Games from 1995 to 1999 and then its vice-president, and also mayor of the games village during the games themselves.
The Cheshire’s AGM also saw David Goldie, chief operating officer of the Telecoms division of Carphone Warehouse elected to the board of directors and directors Richard Bailey of Rothschild, Andrew Russell of Cheshire Building Society and David Tully of Joseph Holt re-elected to the board.
