The board of directors of Buckinghamshire Building Society has announced the appointment of Dan Wass as CEO designate, following Gerard O’Keeffe’s decision to retire later this year as CEO.

Wass will join the Society in mid-September 2022.

He has a wealth of senior leadership experience and a passion for the mutual sector, the society said.

He was most recently director of member propositions, banking, insurance & investments at Nationwide Building Society, and previously a managing director at Barclays UK, having held a number of senior retail banking leadership positions there.

Dick Jenkins, chairman at Buckinghamshire Building Society said: “Buckinghamshire Building Society is a strong and ambitious organisation with real momentum. This was reflected in the very impressive candidates who applied for the CEO role, but Dan was the stand-out choice for us.

“This is a high-profile appointment that reflects confidence and excitement about the future of our Society. Dan’s credentials speak for themselves, but we are delighted that Dan will be an inspirational leader for the great team we have and an excellent cultural fit for the Society.”

Wass added: “I’m thrilled to be joining the Buckinghamshire Building Society at such an important time. I can see that the Society has strength, real momentum and a proud heritage of serving its members and the wider Buckinghamshire community. I’m very much looking forward to meeting the Bucks team and joining in September.”