Stuart Miller
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Our Board & Senior Management Team
Senior Management
Read about Stuart Miller
Stuart Miller - Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director since March 2026
Skills and experience
Stuart is an accomplished banking executive with over 38 years of experience across retail and commercial financial services. He has held a range of senior leadership roles, specialising in strategy, commercial delivery and customer experience.
Before joining The Cumberland, Stuart served as Chief Commercial Officer at Newcastle Building Society, where he was responsible for driving member value across the Group, which encompasses Newcastle Building Society, Manchester Building Society, and Newcastle Financial Advisers Limited.
Current material external positions
- None
Previous positions include
- Group Board Director and Chief Commercial Officer, Newcastle Building Society
- Director, Newcastle Financial Advisers Limited
- Managing Director, Newcastle Strategic Solutions Limited
- Board Member, Government’s High Streets Task Force
Richard Ellison
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Read about Richard Ellison
Richard Ellison - Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Chief Finance Officer since April 2019 and Executive Director since May 2019.
The CFO has responsibility for the oversight of the financial management of the Society, including oversight in the treasury and finance functions, directing financial strategy and establishing internal control processes to safeguard the Society’s assets.
Skills and experience
Richard has extensive financial services experience spanning finance, risk management and strategic planning. Prior to joining the Cumberland Building Society, Richard held several senior finance roles including Deputy Chief Financial Officer and Chief Data Officer at CYBG PLC where he helped lead the successful demerger and IPO of Clydesdale Bank PLC from National Australia Bank and led the restructure and cultural transformation of the finance function.
Current material external positions
- Non-Executive Director and Vice-Chair of Kingdom Bank Limited, as well as Chair of its Audit Committee.
Previous positions include
- Interim Finance Director at Newcastle Building Society Group
- Deputy Chief Financial Officer and Chief Data Officer at CYBG PLC
- Director Banking and Capital Markets at PwC
John Hunt
Chief Risk Officer (CRO)
Read about John Hunt
John Hunt - Chief Risk Officer (CRO)
Chief Risk Officer since December 2020.
The CRO is responsible for overseeing risk management across the Group on behalf of the Board. He is accountable for enabling the efficient and effective governance of significant risks and related opportunities for the business and its subsidiaries. John oversees the management of standard risk categories: strategic, credit, operational, financial, conduct and regulatory, and supports the CEO and SLT to manage the risks in their respective business areas.
Skills and experience
John is a qualified accountant, with experience across risk, including credit risk, compliance and as a CRO covering retail and commercial lending and other banking products. He was previously CRO at Together Personal Finance and held senior risk roles at Nationwide Building Society, GMAC and Capital One.
Current material external positions
- None
Previous positions include
- Chief Risk Officer at Oodle Car Finance
- Chief Risk Officer at Together Personal Finance
- Director of Compliance Advisory, Nationwide Building Society
Susanne Parry
Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Read about Susanne Parry
Susanne Parry - Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Chief Operating Officer since March 2019
The COO has responsibility for direction and control of all organisation operations in accordance with strategy and business planning as agreed by the CEO and the Board. Susanne leads the Operations, Procurement and Customer Service functions and supports the Society by leading enterprise Operational Resilience and Information Security.
Skills and experience
Susanne has over 25 years’ leadership experience in the financial services sector with a degree in Banking & Finance and a MSc in Leadership and Management. Having spent her career with The Cumberland, she has extensive experience working across the business, leading teams of all sizes and developing new operating models, always with the customer at the heart of what we do.
Current material external positions
- Trustee and Chair of Audit & Risk Committee at Tullie Museum and Art Gallery
Previous positions include
- Director Cumberland Estate Agency
- Director Borderway Finance Limited
- Vice-Chair of the University of Cumbria Students’ Union Board.
Ian Stacey
Chief Information and Transformation Officer (CITO)
Read about Ian Stacey
Ian Stacey - Chief Information and Transformation Officer (CITO)
Chief Information and Transformation Officer since May 2023 (CIO from January 2022 – May 23)
The CITO is responsible for the direction and control of the Cumberland’s information and communications technology (ICT) systems and services and directing and delivering the Society’s change portfolio. In addition, he is responsible for defining and delivering the Society’s New Cumberland programme to transform the Society’s technology infrastructure, applications and Target Operating Model
Skills and experience
Ian is an experienced transformation and technology leader with over 35 years’ experience in financial services. He has global transformation experience with major consultancy firms and international banks. He was previously the Head of Internal Operations at Barclays, Retail CIO at First Abu Dhabi Bank and has held the role of Chief Operating Officer at two start-up challenger banks in London.
Current material external positions
- None
Previous positions include
- Chief Information Officer at Cumberland Building Society
- Chief Operating Officer at Vive
- Chief Operating Officer at LQID
- Chief Information Officer at First Abu Dhabi Bank
- Digital Director at EY
- Head of International Operations at Barclays
Claire Deekes
Chief Customer Officer (CCO)
Read about Claire Deekes
Claire Deekes - Chief Customer Officer (CCO)
Chief Customer Officer since August 2022.
The CCO is responsible for ensuring the business provides a differentiated and exceptional customer experience to deliver the business’ income objectives. Claire is accountable for overall customer acquisition and retention. This includes responsibility for the branch network, the direct and introduced lending functions, Product Development, Marketing, First Line Risk, Cumberland Commercial and Borderway Finance.
Skills and experience
Claire is a member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers with over 30 years’ of experience in the retail banking sector. Prior to moving into the role of CCO, she had held the role of Head of Retail Distribution since 2019. Claire moved to the Society from Virgin Money where she was Head of Stores and Lounges, and prior to this enjoyed success in several senior manager roles within Lloyds Banking Group.
Current material external positions
- None
Previous positions include
- Non-Executive Director at Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership.
- Head of Retail Distribution at Cumberland Building Society
- Head of Stores and Lounges at Virgin Money
- Senior Manager at Lloyds Banking Group.
Read Claire’s reflection on the importance of community engagement for 21st century mutuals.
Jill Johnston
Chief People & Sustainability Officer (CPSO)
Read about Jill Johnston
Jill Johnston - Chief People & Sustainability Officer (CPSO)
Chief People & Sustainability Officer since January 2024 (Chief People Officer from May 2019 – January 24).
The CPSO is responsible for leading on people and sustainability strategy. Jill oversees the development of people and culture across the business, providing support across the People function including recruitment, performance, talent development, engagement and internal communications. In addition to this, Jill provides organisational development initiatives, including leadership development, reward, wellbeing and diversity and inclusion. Jill is also responsible for the development of the Society’s sustainability approach bringing together a number of initiatives under the Environment, Social and Governance umbrella, as Exec lead on the accreditation of B Corp for the Cumberland.
Skills and experience
Jill has a Marketing degree, is CIPD qualified and has 35 years’ experience working in HR across a range of sectors including retail, media and finance including startups, scale ups, mergers and acquisitions. She has led HR teams and has been part of the Executive team and Board for organisations including the Guardian Media Group (GMG Radio Holdings ) and Border Television plc. She also has experience of successfully running her own HR consultancy business.
Current material external positions
- Non-Executive Director and Chair of Remuneration Committee at the University of Cumbria
- Women in Finance Board Member and Chair for Building Society and Credit Union Sectors.
- Trustee Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice
Previous positions include
- Head of HR, Border Television plc / Border Radio
- Group HR Director, GMG Radio (part of the Guardian Media Group)
Read Jill's reflection on her role at the Cumberland for International Women's Day.
Non-Executive Directors
Jackie Arnold MBE
Board Chair and Nomination and Governance Chair
Read about Jackie Arnold MBE
Jackie Arnold MBE - Board Chair and Nomination and Governance Chair
Non-Executive Director and a member of NGC since March 2018, PARC Chair May 2019 to July 2024, Audit Committee member September 2020 to July 2024, Board Chair and NGC Chair since July 2024 (independent on appointment)
Skills and experience
Jackie has extensive experience in governance, strategic leadership, and the financial services sector and has previously held several senior positions with BAE Systems and Edison Mission Energy. Her dedication to supporting the local community was recognised when she was awarded an MBE for her services to the Cumbrian economy in 2016. She continues to champion the communities served by the Society, serving as a Workstream Director on the Team Barrow Delivery Board and, in 2025 being appointed Deputy Lieutenant of Cumbria.
Current material external positions
- Workstream Director, Team Barrow Delivery Board
- Professor of Practice, University of Cumbria
- Strategic Advisor, University of Cumbria
- Leader in Residence, Lancaster University
- Chair of Trustees, Furness Education Trust
- Consultant Social Purpose, BAE Systems
Previous positions include
- Head of Strategy, BAE Systems
- Chief Accountant, BAE Systems
- Managing Director, Lakeland Power Limited
- Vice Chair, Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership
- Member, North West Business Leadership Team
- Pro-vice Chancellor, University of Cumbria
Click here to read more about Jackie and her role at The Cumberland.
Anna Barsby
Senior Independent Director
Read about Anna Barsby
Anna Barsby - Senior Independent Director
Non-Executive Director since June 2022, PARC member since July 2022, SID, BRC and NGC member from July 2024 (independent)
Skills and experience
Anna is one of the UK’s top transformation and technology leaders, with extensive experience delivering large-scale change across a variety of industries. She is currently the Founder and Managing Partner of Tessiant, a boutique consultancy that helps organisations define the strategy and role of technology, digital and data, while successfully driving cultural and transformative change. Throughout her career, Anna has worked with several FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 companies providing strategic insight and leadership.
Current material external positions
- Founder and Managing Partner, Tessiant
- Non-Executive Director, Talent Mapper
Previous positions include
- Group Chief Product and Technology Officer, 888 Holdings / William Hill
- Chief Digital and Information Officer, Asda
- Chief Transformation Officer, Fortnum and Mason
- Chief Information Officer, Halfords
- Chief Technology Officer, Morrisons
Kelli Fairbrother
People, Remuneration and Culture Chair
Read about Kelli Fairbrother
Kelli Fairbrother - People, Remuneration and Culture Chair
Non-Executive Director and PARC member since September 2020, PARC Chair, Audit and NGC member since July 2024 (independent).
Skills and experience
Kelli has over 25 years of experience in consumer and technology businesses, bringing extensive expertise in strategy, operations, and digital innovation. She is the co-founder and CEO of xigxag, a B-Corp-certified digital media technology start-up, where she drives the company’s growth and innovation while championing its social and environmental mission. Previously, Kelli held senior leadership roles including Group Head of Strategy at Whitbread, President of the International Business at Deluxe Entertainment, and the Chief Operating Officer at Gelato, where she led strategic initiatives and operational transformation.
Current material external positions
- Co-Founder and CEO, xigxag Limited
- Non-Executive Director, Liberty Wines Limited
Previous positions include
- Chief Operating Officer, Gelato
- President, International, Deluxe Entertainment
- Business Development and Commercial Director, Whitbread Hotels and Restaurants
- Group Head of Strategy, Whitbread PLC
Vicky Bruce
Non-Executive Director
Read about Vicky Bruce
Vicky Bruce - Non-Executive Director
Non-Executive Director and Board Risk Committee member since September 2020, Audit Committee member since July 2022, Customer Champion since September 2022 (independent)
Skills and experience
Vicky has spent her career in the financial services sector, with expertise spanning programme and change management, risk, regulation, wealth management and retail banking. Her more recent experience in the not-for-profit sector reflects her passion for people centric organisations that have strong societal purpose and values.
Current material external positions
- Strategy Consultant, International Paralympic Committee
- Non-Executive Trustee, Agitos Foundation
Previous positions include
- Global COO for Institutional Wealth Partners, Deutsche Bank Wealth Management
- Global Head of Regulatory Change, Deutsche Bank Wealth Management
- Head of Change Management and Client Experience, Coutts Private Banking
- Global Head of Governance and Controls, Royal Bank of Scotland Markets
- Non-Executive Trustee, Hope and Homes for Children
Click here to read more about Vicky and her role at The Cumberland and the International Paralympic Committee.
Mark Stanger
Audit Chair
Read about Mark Stanger
Mark Stanger - Audit Chair
Non-Executive Director since June 2018, Audit Committee Chair since July 2020, BRC member January 2019 to July 2024 and PARC member since July 2022 (independent).
Skills and experience
Mark has over 35 years’ experience in accountancy and financial services. He has held several senior roles at Gibbons Chartered Accountants and Gibbons Wealth Management Limited and served as an independent Governor at Lakes College. His expertise spans risk, audit, and regulatory compliance.
Current material external positions
- None
Previous positions include
- Chair, Board of Governors at Lakes College,
- Partner, Armstrong Watson LLP
- Senior Partner, Gibbons Chartered Accountants
- Managing Director, Gibbons Wealth Management Limited
Cameron Marr
Board Risk Committee Chair
Read about Cameron Marr
Cameron Marr - Board Risk Committee Chair
Non-Executive Director and BRC Chair since November 2023 (independent).
Skills and experience
Cameron has over 40 years of experience in international financial services, with extensive C-suite experience, including CEO, CRO and other senior leadership roles. He also has considerable board-level experience at Board Chair level and having chaired both Audit and Risk Committees in other organisations. Cameron’s expertise spans business leadership, strategy development, change management, systems transformation, and regulatory engagement.
Current material external positions
- Non-Executive Director (Chair of Audit Committee), Hewlett Packard International Bank DAC
- Non-Executive Director (Board Chair), Mars Capital Finance Ireland DAC
- Non-Executive Director (Chair of Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee), AIB Merchant Services
- Non-Executive Director (Chair of Audit Committee), Guarantee Trust Bank (UK) Limited
Previous positions include
- Chief Risk Officer and Executive Director, KBC Bank Ireland DAC
- Chief Executive Officer, Butterfield Bank (UK) Limited
- Non-Executive Director (Chair of Audit and Risk Committee), Ghana International Bank PLC
- Non-Executive Director (Vice-Chair, Chair of Risk Committee and Chair of Audit Committee), National Bank of Kuwait (International) PLC
- Non-Executive Director (Board Chair), Kroo Bank Ltd
Richard Pike
Non-Executive Director
Read about Richard Pike
Richard Pike - Non-Executive Director
Non-Executive Director since June 2024, BRC Member since July 2024 (independent).
Skills and experience
Richard is an experienced Board Chair, Non-Executive Director, and governance expert with a career spanning strategy, technology, finance, innovation, and risk management. He currently serves as Chair of FBD Insurance PLC, Citadel Securities GCS (UK & Europe), Tuath Housing, and Chair of Monzo Bank EU’s Risk & Compliance Committee. A former founder and CEO, he has deep expertise in financial services, digital transformation, and regulatory oversight. Richard lectures on governance and risk, has published widely on operational risk, and is recognised as a leading voice in risk management and board effectiveness.
Current material external positions:
- Non-Executive Director (Chair), FBD Insurance PLC
- Non-Executive Director (Chair), Citadel Securities (Europe) Ltd
- Non-Executive Director (Chair), Citadel Securities (Ireland) Ltd
- Non-Executive Director (Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee), Tuath Housing
- Non-Executive Director (Chair of the Board Risk Committee), Monzo Bank EU
Previous positions include:
- Non-Executive Director (Chair of the Board Risk Committee), Starling Bank International
- Non-Executive Director, J.P. Morgan Admin Services and J.P Morgan Hedge Fund Services (Ireland)
- Non-Executive Director, Permanent TSB PLC
- Non-Executive Director, National Cybersecurity Society