Commenting on the appointment Gordon Horsfield, chairman of N&P, said: "I'm delighted N&P has secured someone of Anne's calibre to lead the society through the next phase. Anne has had a long career in retail financial services and brings a real understanding both of our mutual business model, with its strong focus on customer service, and the management of change."
Anne Gunther added: "I'm delighted to accept the chief executive role at N&P. The society has a strong heritage to fall back on, following a difficult year, and I join with the prospect of a merger ahead. I look forward to the challenge of leading N&P through the next phase of its life and continuing to support our members and local communities."
Anne joins N&P with a wealth of financial services experience, most recently as chief executive of Standard Life Bank (the £12 billion mortgage and savings bank), where she also had responsibility for Standard Life Healthcare and the direct client relationship operations of Standard Life.
Previously Anne was managing director of direct channels at Lloyds TSB, including internet banking and responsibility for transforming the bank's call centres from cost to income centres. Anne's career in banking began with NatWest, which she joined as a graduate management trainee in 1976 and ultimately progressed to head of telephony for its retail division, via time as marketing director for NatWest Home Loans.
Anne will join the society tomorrow.
