Roger Burnell (58) joins the Society with over 25 years senior executive experience. A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Roger worked as Finance Director and Managing Director of several businesses within the Thomson Travel Group (TTG) before becoming Chief Operating Officer in 1998. Since 2000, he has continued to work at board level through a number of non-executive directorships, predominantly in the travel sector. Roger has a track record of helping businesses grow successfully and brings extensive experience in multi-channel customer operations and customer service. Roger is married with two grown-up children and lives in Warwickshire.
Ian Geden (55) is Group Chief Executive of NFU Mutual. He has over 35 years financial services experience, all in the mutual sector. As Group Chief Executive of NFU Mutual, Ian leads an organisation of over 3,000 staff, 840,000 Members and with nearly £12bn funds under management. He brings great insight and experience of supporting and maintaining mutual values. Ian is married with two grown-up children and lives in Worcestershire.
Commenting on the appointments, David Harding, Chairman of the Society said: "I am delighted to announce Roger's and Ian's appointment to the Society's Board. Recent retirements made it necessary to look for new directors to maintain the strength and independence of the Board, and in Roger and Ian I believe we have found successful candidates who will challenge and guide the Society's management team whilst sharing its values and ambition.
"It was particularly pleasing that both Roger and Ian are local members, attracted to the Society through the invitation included with our Annual General Meeting information. We have always believed that our membership includes suitable candidates for non-executive positions, and to find both in this way has proved this to be the case."
