Darlington Building Society has appointed two new executive team members from within its own ranks.

Louise Thorpe becomes distribution director and Chris Brown has been made products and marketing director.

Thorpe joined the Society in 2004 in a maternity cover role as a part-time customer service consultant but was quickly made a permanent member of staff.

She became a mortgage adviser and went on to be manager of her local branch in Guisborough before taking over the Middlesbrough branch. She was subsequently promoted to branch operations manager, then sales operations manager and Head of direct distribution.

As part of the executive team, she will now assume overall responsibility for the distribution of products and services to customers. She will lead her teams, branch network, direct sales, and intermediary support, to deliver an outstanding member and broker experience.

She said: “I’m really proud to be joining the executive team. It demonstrates the commitment Darlington Building Society has to developing its people and is a clear reflection of our core values. The message is ‘work hard and the Society will reward you by opening up opportunities’.

“Having progressed through the Society, I’ve gained a rounded understanding the challenges staff face within various roles. Job satisfaction for colleagues is driven through supporting our customers in owning their own home, saving for a purpose, and making a difference within our local community. Continuous improvement is important, to ensure we provide the best outcomes for our members and colleagues.”

Meanwhile, Brown joined Darlington Building Society in 2019 as head of products and propositions, having started on the Northern Rock graduate scheme before joining UK Asset Resolution Ltd, and later Virgin Money.

In his new role within the executive team, he will add overall responsibility for marketing to his current responsibilities.

Brown said: “I’ve learned a lot in the three years I’ve been with the Society, and I’m delighted to have been given the chance to shine during what has been a challenging period due to the pandemic. I’m honoured to now be joining the executive team in a fantastic organisation that fundamentally believes in growing its own talent.

“My passion is in making sure we continue to listen and react to our members’ needs through the development of member-centric savings and mortgage products, whilst at the same time increasing awareness of the Society’s brand across the communities we serve. The business is in extremely good shape, with members being well looked after, so there is an exciting future ahead.”

As part of the management restructure, Clare Wilson has been promoted from her current position as branch operations manager and will succeed Thorpe as head of direct distribution.