Dudley Building Society has appointed Helen Smith as chief growth officer as it looks to develop its growth strategy across technology, customer and intermediary channels.
Smith (pictured) joined the society in April and brings board-level experience across financial services, insurance, healthcare and funeralcare.
She has previously held senior roles at Benenden Health and Co-op Funeralcare and Life Services, where she led large, cross-functional teams and delivered business transformation programmes.
In her new role, Smith will be responsible for shaping and delivering Dudley Building Society’s growth strategy, including brand and proposition development, customer support, technology strategy, and the society’s lending and savings offering.
She will also help align commercial activity with the society’s wider purpose, including its work to support local communities, improve environmental outcomes and build an inclusive workplace culture.
The appointment forms part of Dudley Building Society’s wider investment in its leadership team, as it develops its proposition across specialist lending areas and looks to improve the experience it provides to intermediaries and customers.
Robert Oliver, distribution director at Dudley Building Society, says: “Growth for us is not just about volume, it’s about how we deliver for the people who rely on us.
“That means improving the experience for our customers and intermediaries, supporting the communities we serve, and making sure we are acting responsibly in how we operate, including our approach to the environment.
“Helen brings a strong track record of leading change across complex organisations, but just as importantly, she understands how to connect commercial decisions with real outcomes for customers and colleagues.
“Her appointment strengthens our ability to move forward in a way that is considered, consistent and built around long-term value.”
Smith adds: “Dudley Building Society has a clear sense of purpose and a strong connection to the communities it serves.
“What stands out is the way that purpose translates into day-to-day decisions, from how customers are supported through more complex cases, to how colleagues are empowered to make the right calls.
“There is a real opportunity to build on that by making sure our products, service and overall experience reflect what customers and intermediaries need in practice.
“My focus will be on bringing teams together to deliver that consistently, while supporting sustainable growth that works for both the Society and the people it serves.”
