He replaces John Goodfellow, who has held the post for the past year.
John is a Chartered Accountant, having qualified with Thompson McLintock in the City before working for merchant bankers Morgan Grenfell, the Chelsea Building Society and The Burmah Oil Company. He joined Stroud and Swindon in 1984 as Chief Accountant, soon becoming Finance Director and became Chief Executive in 1994.
Commenting on his election as Chairman, John Parker said:
"I am honoured and delighted to become Chairman of the Association. Having worked in the industry for 20 years, I know that societies have a major role in providing diversity and choice in financial services. A key issue this year will be adapting to mortgage and insurance regulation without losing our responsiveness to the needs of our members."
Philip Williamson, Chief Executive of Nationwide Building Society has taken over as Deputy Chairman, from John Parker. Philip joined Nationwide in 1991 to head up the commercial lending area of the business. In 1994 he was promoted to Divisional Director and subsequently joined the Board in 1996, becoming Chief Executive in 2002.
