Darlington Building Society has appointed Alex Windle as its next chief executive, succeeding Andrew Craddock, who will step down in April after seven years at the helm.
The appointment is subject to regulatory approval.
Windle (pictured), currently chief customer officer at West Brom Building Society, is expected to build on what the Society described as a period of record investment and growth under Craddock’s leadership.
The announcement follows two significant milestones for the North East mutual, which this month reached £1bn in total assets and marked £1m in charitable donations made since 2017 through its pledge to share 5% of annual profits with local causes.
Rachel Court, chair of Darlington Building Society, said: “The Society has achieved fantastic results over the last few years, thanks in large part to Andrew’s exceptional leadership.
“The recent milestones of reaching £1bn in asset size and donating a cumulative £1m from the Society’s profits to local community causes under our 5% pledge are a real testament to his success.
“Whilst Andrew will remain at the helm until the next annual general meeting in April, I look forward to welcoming Alex as our new CEO in what will be the Society’s 170th year.
“Alex is an inspirational leader with a wealth of experience in leading the customer and commercial agendas in successful societies, and his experience suits him ideally to leading the Darlington into the next phase of our strategic development.”
Windle said: “I am thrilled to be joining a business that is so strong and well positioned in the North East, where it has built an enviable reputation for great customer care, being a first-class employer, and for its support of local communities.
“Looking forward, it is vital that we offer our customers choice in the ways they want to be served. I am committed to giving customers choice, and I look forward to working with the team to build on the strong physical presence the Society has in the region, while capitalising on the recent investment in technology to develop a bigger and more meaningful digital service.
“Darlington Building Society has been a force for good for almost 170 years and my aim is to build on the strong foundations that have been laid, so that we can help more people achieve their dream of home ownership and save for the future.”
Windle brings more than 30 years of experience across consumer and financial services. His early career included senior roles in commercial, marketing and strategy at Vodafone, LG Electronics and BP, where he became global retail product director, leading worldwide marketing, digital strategy and product management.
He entered financial services in 2016 with Cumberland Building Society, where he served as chief customer officer and later chief transformation officer. He joined West Brom in 2023, where his remit has spanned product, marketing, sales, customer service, corporate strategy and ESG.
Craddock’s departure in April will mark the end of a period in which Darlington Building Society has modernised its operations, expanded its reach, and reaffirmed its commitment to local communities.
