Manchester Building Society has appointed Deborah Walker as development director, marking a significant step in the society’s return to the high street following its merger with Newcastle Building Society last year.
Walker (pictured), a longstanding advocate for Greater Manchester with over three decades of experience in the region’s financial and professional services sector, will lead the society’s expansion across the North West.
Her immediate focus will be the launch of the society’s new branch on King Street in central Manchester, the first to carry the revived brand.
The appointment follows the society’s rebrand and renewed commitment to community-led financial services. Walker joins from MIDAS, Manchester’s inward investment agency, where she served as head of financial and professional services.
Her previous roles include senior positions at HSBC and DWF, alongside work in higher education and the housing sector.
Walker’s career has been characterised by a focus on social value and regional development. She played a key role in launching legal apprenticeships in the city and scaling Manchester’s Housing First homeless pilot.
Her appointment reflects a deliberate move by the building society to align itself with community needs and local identity.
Walker said: “We’re on a mission to bring back the beloved Manchester Building Society brand. In a climate where branches are closing and services are moving online, people are crying out for high street support and financial advice.
“We’re launching a modern financial services provider that will keep pace with the digital revolution but also offer a deep human connection.”
She added that while new branches are part of the society’s ambitions, their expansion will be measured. “Our approach will be authentically Greater Manchester,” she said, citing inspiration from Newcastle’s recent experiments with community-based branch models in libraries and local hubs.
Manchester Building Society’s return to physical banking contrasts with the national trend of branch closures. It is pursuing a model previously adopted by Newcastle Building Society, which has sought to maintain physical presence through partnerships and alternative locations.
Andrew Haigh, chief executive of Manchester Building Society, said Walker was ideally placed to lead the society’s North West investment. “She brings a perfect combination of financial services expertise and frontline experience in Greater Manchester with both commercial and not-for-profit organisations,” he said.
“Deborah understands Mancunians, local issues and the regional policy agenda and operates with huge amounts of passion and drive,” Haigh added.
“We look forward to continuing to expand the team under her leadership ensuring that as we grow, we respond to the needs and aspirations of the people of Greater Manchester.”
Walker’s appointment is intended to reinforce the society’s presence and relevance in the region, building on the foundation of its 2023 merger. The King Street branch, due to open later this year, will be the first tangible expression of its renewed regional commitment.
