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Hinckley & Rugby salutes Chris White’s 25 years at the Society
Hinckley & Rugby chief executive Chris White has spoken of his pride in the organisation as he marks 25 years at the building society. He is only the eighth chief executive in the Society’s 149 years.
Chris, who joined Hinckley & Rugby on September 4 1989, said: “It has certainly been interesting times. I have ended up as one of the longest serving executives in the building society sector.
“I have enjoyed every day of it and worked with some great people. I have not had a day when I have thought we are not doing the right things in the right way. It is a pleasure to work for Hinckley & Rugby.”
Chairman Nigel Frostick said: “I would like to congratulate Chris on his outstanding contribution to Hinckley & Rugby and his achievements over the 25 years.
“As chief executive he has steered the Society through a period of unprecedented challenge in the financial services sector with diligence and calm authority. Chris has ensured a viable future for Hinckley & Rugby as an independent building society."
Back in 1989 inflation was running at 7.8 per cent and the Bank of England’s base rate was 13.875 per cent. Average house prices were under £100,000 – even in London – and building society mortgage and savings rates were set by the Building Societies Association.
Chris said: “It was a different world then. The whole financial services industry was in something of a time warp. After deregulation all hell broke loose, with so many societies demutualised. Some of the changes have been good for the consumer, some not so good.
“The theory was everything grows, house prices only go up and inflation would save the day. One of the advantages of being in the industry for a long time is to have experienced different cycles and knowing what can go wrong and what can work.
“Hinckley & Ruby has carried on with sound basic principles. And it is here today and still strong. All those changes happened around us and it demonstrates what we do is the right thing. We sailed through what were dramatic and turbulent times.”
Chris joined the Society from the parts business of Land Rover and became financial director in 1993 before being appointed chief executive in 2007.
Photo: Hinckley & Rugby chief executive Chris White (left, centre) congratulated by the secretary and solicitor Stephen Castling and the Society’s staff.
For more information, please contact:
Andy Gilgrist at House PR 01536 772256 / 07989 562517 andy@housepr.co.uk
A top 25 society, Hinckley & Rugby Building Society has total assets of more than £550 million and over 60,000 savers. In addition, it has over 9,000 borrowers who are also benefiting from the Society's success. The Society is committed to providing an extensive range of competitive savings accounts and mortgage schemes and to providing the highest standards of customer service.
