To create a more cohesive retail strategy and to ensure that Nationwide continues to adapt its leadership team to respond to the changing needs of the business, the society will be combining product development with distribution and the development of the Nationwide brand. The new directorate, called Group Retail, will be led by Chris Rhodes, currently the group product and marketing director. As a consequence, Matthew Wyles, group distribution director, will stand down from his responsibilities as an executive director on Monday 3 December.
The society says since joining Nationwide from the Portman in August 2007, Matthew Wyles has made an enormous difference to the way the Group operates.
Having taken up the leadership of group distribution in January 2009 he introduced a commercial drive and culture whilst remaining true to the society’s mutual principles.
Graham Beale, Nationwide’s chief executive, said: “Matthew’s contribution has not just been in the retail arena but, more generally, he has supported me and the rest of the executive team, helping to develop and transform Nationwide into what it is today. His tenure with us has been during one of the most challenging and significant periods of change for the organisation and I would like to thank him for his significant contribution and wish him well in his future career.”
Matthew Wyles said: “The last five years have been undeniably tough but we have achieved so much. I’m really proud of the way that Nationwide has not only weathered the storm but has emerged fitter and stronger – it’s a business with a consistent, clear and effective strategy with the customer at its centre. I wish all my colleagues and friends at Nationwide every success in the future.”
