SKIPTON Building Society is saying goodbye early next year to its group chief financial officer who leaves after 20 'incredible' years.

Bobby Ndawula joined in 2003 and his career saw him progress through to group finance director and latterly to group CFO for the larger Skipton Group. He sits on the Board of Connells – the UK’s largest estate agency and property services provider - and is chair of Skipton International, the award-winning bank based in Guernsey.

During his time at Skipton, Bobby has stewarded the business – significantly growing and strengthening its financial standing. Today Skipton Group has over 1.1m members, and 1,200 branches, providing mortgages, savings, estate agency services and free financial advice for members. It has unique insight into the housing market.

Bobby said: “After 20 incredible years at Skipton, culminating in spending the past year with our new CEO working on some of the most exciting and far-reaching strategic priorities, it feels the right time to begin handing over the reins and to move on to a new opportunity.

“It’s been an absolute privilege and a very special part of my career to date; and I depart knowing the business is in very capable hands."

Standard Chartered’s Paul Chambers has been announced as the new Group CFO to join next spring.

Stuart Haire, Skipton Group CEO, said: “Over the years Bobby has provided remarkable financial management of our growing business. His commitment, counsel and strategic leadership has always been rooted in his profound belief in our customer-focussed purpose. To Bobby, finance is much more than numbers – it’s about helping our members achieve their financial goals. We will of course be very sorry to see Bobby leave, but he does so with our very best wishes and gratitude for his service.

“With Bobby’s departure next year, we now turn to our new chapter, and I’m delighted that Paul Chambers will be joining the Group from Standard Chartered Group. Paul has been CFO of Europe and America and is currently the Financial Controller of the Group. Paul has deep financial expertise and a strong track record. He has excellent knowledge of both mortgage and advise markets. Additionally, he is well informed about the Group, our story, our financial strength, and our unparalleled potential to drive transformative change in the UK housing market and financial services industry. These really are exciting times for everyone at Skipton as we leverage our collective Group capability. Continuing to attract top talent demonstrates the impact we’re having – and we very much look forward to welcoming Paul to this new phase of our Group journey.”