Des Moore
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Our Board & Senior Management Team
Senior Management
Read about Des Moore
Des Moore - Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director since April 2018.
The CEO is responsible for providing leadership, direction and coordinating all activities of the Society in accordance with its strategic goals and objectives. This includes safeguarding and developing the assets and business of the Society for the benefit of current and future members.
Skills and experience
Des is an accomplished senior leader in the financial services sector in both the UK and Ireland, with extensive experience in both retail and commercial banking. Prior to joining the Society, Des spent five years as Managing Director of AIB (NI) and was responsible for leading the restructure of the bank. Des is a Chartered Director with the Institute of Directors and has been leading the transformation of the Society.
Current material external positions
- Non-Executive Director at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust.
Previous positions include
- Non-Executive Director at Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership
- Managing Director at AIB (NI)
- Senior positions – AIB, Bank of Ireland, Permanent TSB and National Irish Bank
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 significant experience in the UK financial services sector. As Deputy Chief Financial Officer and Chief Data Officer at CYBG PLC, 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.
Since joining the Society, Richard has led ongoing changes to the treasury function to allow greater sophistication in risk management, as well as improving operational design of the finance function to position them to support the future of the Society. He also oversees the Governance, Legal & Secretariat 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’ experience in the financial services sector with a degree in Banking & Finance (LIBF) and a MSc in Leadership and Management. Having spent her career with The Cumberland, she has extensive experience working across the business in both branches and head office, leading teams of all sizes, from our smaller branches to one of our largest teams in Operations.
Current material external positions
- Trustee and Chair of Audit & Risk Committee at Tullie Museum and Art Gallery
Previous positions include
- Senior leadership positions at Cumberland Building Society including Head of Change & Technology, Head of Operations and Head of HR
- 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 Chartered Banker with over 20 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, retention, talent development, engagement and internal communications. In addition to this, Jill provides organisational development initiatives, including leadership development, reward, wellbeing, safety, 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.
Skills and experience
Jill has a Marketing degree, is CIPD qualified and has over 25 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 for organisations including the Guardian Media Group (MGM Radio) 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.
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 over 35 years’ experience in business and financial management roles, and has previously held several senior positions with BAE Systems and Edison Mission Energy. She also has significant non-executive experience in the public and education sectors most recently being appointed Chair at Furness Education Trust and Workstream Director with Team Barrow Delivery Board.
Current material external positions
- Workstream Director, Team Barrow Delivery Board
- Professor of Practice, Lancaster University
- 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, used to delivering large scale change across different industries. She is currently the Founder and Managing Partner at Tessiant, a boutique consultancy, and has previously worked with a number of FTSE 100, FTSE 250 and regulatory organisations at a senior level.
Current material external positions
- Founder and Managing Partner, Tessiant
- Non-Executive Director, Talent Mapper
- Director, ACR Cars Ltd
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. She is currently the CEO of xigxag, a digital media technology start-up she co-founded. She previously served as Group Head of Strategy for Whitbread, President of the International Business of Deluxe Entertainment and Chief Operating Officer of Gelato. She earned her MBA from Harvard Business School.
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 BRC member since September 2020, Audit member since July 2022, Consumer Duty Champion since September 2022 (independent)
Skills and experience
Vicky has worked in international financial services for over 25 years. Her experience spans change, risk, regulation, wealth management and retail banking and she has UK board experience in financial services and the not-for-profit sector.
Current material external positions
- 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, Coutts
- Non-Executive Trustee, Hope and Homes for Children
- Consultant, International Paralympic Committee
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. His experience includes risk, audit, regulatory compliance and included a focus on the hospitality sector.
Current material external positions
- Partner, Armstrong Watson LLP
- Director, Gibbons Wealth Management Limited
- Director, Gibbons Properties Limited
- Director, Carleton Properties (Cumbria) Limited
Previous positions include
- Chair, Board of Governors at Lakes College, Lillyhall
- Senior Partner and Managing Partner, Gibbons
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 worked in international financial services for over 40 years. His experience of the sector includes risk, regulation, and sustainability. He also has an extensive background at Board level having chaired Board Audit and Board Risk Committees in other organisations.
Current material external positions
- Non-Executive Director (Chair of Audit Committee), Hewlett Packard International Bank DAC
- Non-Executive Director (Chair), Mars Capital Finance Ireland DAC
- Non-Executive Director (Chair of Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee), AIB Merchant Services
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 (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 has been involved in the financial services sector for over 30 years and is a Certified Bank Director at the Institute of Banking. He was the co-founder of Ci3 which provided risk-management software and IT services to financial institutions and the founder of Governor Software which assists institutions in complying with new governance and risk regulations. He also has an extensive background at Board level having chaired Board Risk Committees both within financial services and non-profit organisations.
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), 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