Key Points
- Swansea Building Society has appointed Nathan Griffiths as its deputy chief executive as part of its long-term succession planning and leadership development strategy.
- Griffiths joined the Society in July 2019 as finance director and has since held executive responsibility across finance, treasury, IT and human resources.
- He is a Chartered Accountant and Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).
- Before joining Swansea Building Society, Griffiths spent eight years at Deloitte, specialising in the banking and building society sector.
- He joined Monmouthshire Building Society in 2015 as group financial controller, later taking on wider leadership responsibilities and leading its products function.
- Swansea Building Society chief executive Alun Williams said Griffiths had made a significant contribution to the organisation and was a strong choice for the appointment.
- Griffiths said he was proud to take on the role and highlighted the importance of preserving the Society’s values, relationships and focus on its members as it continues to develop.
- The appointment comes against the background of the Society’s reported growth, investment in its branch network and digital services, and focus on sustainable development.
Swansea Building Society has appointed Nathan Griffiths as deputy chief executive, strengthening its senior leadership structure as the Welsh mutual lender continues its long-term succession planning. Griffiths, who joined the organisation as finance director in July 2019, brings experience across financial services, banking, building societies, financial reporting, governance and business strategy. The appointment recognises his contribution to the Society over the past seven years and his involvement in its financial and organisational development. Chief executive Alun Williams said the decision reflected Griffiths’ knowledge of the business, understanding of the building society sector and commitment to its members. Griffiths said he was looking forward to working with Williams, the Board and colleagues to build on the organisation’s achievements while maintaining its established values and member-focused approach.
Why Has Swansea Building Society Appointed Nathan Griffiths as Deputy Chief Executive?
As reported by Jessica O’Connor, Deputy Editor of The Intermediary, on 2 November 2026, Swansea Building Society has appointed Nathan Griffiths as deputy chief executive as part of its long-term succession planning and leadership development strategy.
The appointment represents a development in the Society’s executive leadership structure. Griffiths has served as finance director since joining the organisation in July 2019, giving him several years of experience working within its senior management team. During this period, he has been involved in the Society’s continued growth and development and has taken responsibility for several important business functions.
According to The Intermediary, Griffiths’ executive responsibilities have extended beyond finance to include treasury, information technology and human resources. He has also worked closely with the Board and senior leadership team on the organisation’s long-term strategy and a range of strategic, commercial and organisational initiatives.
The Society’s decision reflects the importance it places on developing leadership experience within the organisation. Rather than bringing in an executive unfamiliar with its operations, the appointment places an established senior figure with an understanding of its business and members into the deputy chief executive position.
The announcement does not specify a change to the existing chief executive position or indicate that Griffiths is immediately replacing Alun Williams. It describes the appointment as part of succession planning and leadership development.
What Experience Does Nathan Griffiths Bring to the New Role?
Griffiths brings a professional background in accountancy and financial services, with experience spanning major accountancy practice, building society operations and executive-level responsibilities.
He is a Chartered Accountant and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). His career has included work with retail banks, building societies and challenger banks, giving him exposure to different parts of the financial services industry.
According to Jessica O’Connor’s report in The Intermediary, Griffiths began his career in Deloitte’s Financial Services Assurance and Advisory practice. He spent eight years with the firm, specialising in the banking and building society sector.
During his time at Deloitte, he progressed to senior manager. His responsibilities included advising on financial reporting, prudential regulation, governance and strategic development. These areas are particularly relevant to senior leadership within a financial institution, where financial oversight, regulatory responsibilities and long-term planning form part of the organisation’s wider management requirements.
His experience at Deloitte provided a foundation in the financial and regulatory considerations affecting banks and building societies. It also gave him an understanding of the professional standards and governance processes required in a regulated financial services environment.
Griffiths subsequently moved from professional services into the building society sector, taking up a position at Monmouthshire Building Society in 2015.
What Was Nathan Griffiths’ Role at Monmouthshire Building Society?
In 2015, Griffiths joined Monmouthshire Building Society as group financial controller. His responsibilities later expanded, giving him broader exposure to the organisation’s leadership and business operations.
As reported by The Intermediary, he supported the chief executive and took responsibility for leading the Society’s products function. These responsibilities extended his experience beyond financial control and reporting into areas connected with business management and product operations.
The move was an important stage in his career because it provided direct experience within a mutual building society. It also gave him an opportunity to work across different organisational functions and contribute to wider leadership responsibilities.
Griffiths remained at Monmouthshire Building Society before joining Swansea Building Society four years later, in July 2019.
His career progression therefore includes experience in professional financial services advisory work, senior financial control within a building society and executive responsibility within Swansea Building Society. The combination of these roles provides relevant experience for a deputy chief executive position.
What Responsibilities Has Griffiths Held at Swansea Building Society?
Since joining Swansea Building Society as finance director in July 2019, Griffiths has taken on executive responsibility across several functions.
His remit has included finance, treasury, IT and human resources. These areas cover important aspects of the Society’s operations, from financial management and funding considerations to technology systems and workforce responsibilities.
His involvement has also extended to the organisation’s wider strategic direction. The Intermediary reported that Griffiths has worked closely with the Board and senior leadership team on the Society’s long-term strategy and a range of strategic, commercial and organisational initiatives.
This combination of responsibilities has given him experience of how different business functions contribute to the Society’s overall performance. Financial management, for example, is closely connected with decisions about lending, savings, investment and the organisation’s financial resilience. Treasury responsibilities also sit within the wider management of financial resources and the relationship between savings and lending.
Technology and human resources are similarly important to the operation of a modern financial institution. Digital services, internal systems, workforce capabilities and organisational development all contribute to how a building society serves its members and manages its operations.
The breadth of Griffiths’ executive experience is relevant to the deputy chief executive appointment because the role requires an understanding of the organisation beyond a single specialist department.
His work with the Board and senior management team has also given him direct involvement in strategic discussions and organisational initiatives.
What Did Alun Williams Say About the Appointment?
Swansea Building Society chief executive Alun Williams said succession planning had received considerable attention from the organisation.
In comments reported by Jessica O’Connor of The Intermediary, Williams said: “Succession planning is something we have given considerable thought and attention to as a Society.”
He explained that the Society needed to continue developing its leadership team and ensure it had the experience, skills and capabilities required to support its long-term future.
Williams also highlighted Griffiths’ contribution since joining the organisation in 2019. He pointed to his knowledge of the building society sector, understanding of Swansea Building Society and involvement in shaping its strategy as reasons for selecting him for the position.
Williams said: “Nathan has made a significant contribution since joining us in 2019. His knowledge of the building society sector, his understanding of our business and his involvement in shaping our strategy make him a strong choice for this appointment.”
The chief executive also referred to Griffiths’ commitment to the Society and its members, describing the promotion as a natural next step in his development as a senior leader.
His comments indicate that the appointment is linked to the organisation’s internal leadership development rather than being presented simply as a change in job title. The Society has emphasised the importance of maintaining continuity, experience and an understanding of its existing business as it prepares for its longer-term future.
How Did Nathan Griffiths Respond to His Appointment?
Griffiths said he was proud to take on the deputy chief executive role and described Swansea Building Society as an organisation about which he cared deeply.
In his statement, reported by The Intermediary, he reflected on joining the Society in 2019 and the opportunity to work with colleagues while contributing to its continued growth and development.
He said: “I am incredibly proud to take on the role of Deputy Chief Executive. Swansea Building Society is an organisation I care deeply about, and since joining in 2019 I have been fortunate to work with a fantastic team and play a part in its continued growth and development.”
Griffiths also acknowledged the organisation’s achievements while pointing to further opportunities ahead.
He said that, as the Society continued to grow and evolve, it was important to retain the values, relationships and focus on members that distinguish the organisation.
His statement placed particular emphasis on continuity during a period of development. While the Society looks to build on its progress, Griffiths indicated that its existing approach to relationships and member service should remain central to its future direction.
He added: “I am really looking forward to working alongside Alun, the Board and colleagues across the Society as we build on what we have achieved and take the business forward.”
The comments suggest that his immediate priorities will involve working with the existing leadership team and supporting the Society’s wider organisational objectives.
How Does the Appointment Fit Swansea Building Society’s Wider Development?
The appointment comes as Swansea Building Society continues to develop its operations and invest in its services.
The Society was established as a mutual building society in 1923. Its official website describes its history as a member-supported organisation, with a continuing focus on its future development.
Its 2025 Annual Report and Accounts provide further context for the appointment. The report records total assets of £715.1 million for 2025, compared with £693.7 million in 2024. It also reports mortgage balances of £576.9 million and savings balances of £663.9 million.
The annual report describes a year in which the Society continued to invest in its branch network and digital services. Its activities included acquiring a property in Abergavenny with a view to opening a new branch, purchasing larger premises in Carmarthen and launching a new mobile application. The Society also enabled accounts to be opened online for the first time.
These developments form part of the wider business environment in which the senior leadership team operates. Branch investment, digital services, mortgage lending and savings products all require coordination across financial, operational, technological and workforce functions.
The annual report also identifies the importance of maintaining a balance between savings and lending, managing financial margins prudently and responding to competition in the retail savings market.
Against this background, Griffiths’ experience across finance, treasury, IT and human resources is relevant to the organisation’s wider operational and strategic responsibilities.
The appointment announcement does not state that Griffiths has been assigned a new programme or a specific set of projects as deputy chief executive. However, his existing involvement in strategic and organisational initiatives provides context for the Society’s decision to promote him.
Why Is Succession Planning Important for Building Societies?
Succession planning is an important part of leadership and governance in financial services organisations. It involves identifying and developing people who may take on greater responsibilities in the future, helping an organisation maintain leadership capability and operational continuity.
For a building society, this can be particularly significant because its activities involve managing members’ savings, providing mortgage lending and maintaining the financial and regulatory controls needed to operate responsibly.
A planned approach to leadership development can help preserve institutional knowledge and ensure that senior executives understand the organisation’s operations, risks and long-term objectives.
Williams’ statement makes clear that Swansea Building Society has given succession planning considerable attention. His comments also show that the Society views the development of its existing leadership team as an important part of preparing for its future.
Griffiths’ appointment reflects this approach. His seven years at the Society, together with his earlier experience at Deloitte and Monmouthshire Building Society, provide a combination of institutional knowledge and wider financial services experience.
Leadership development also involves more than technical financial expertise. Senior executives must understand governance, organisational culture, workforce management, commercial decisions and relationships with customers or members.
These responsibilities are closely connected with the principles covered in Management and Leadership, particularly strategic decision-making, executive accountability, organisational continuity and the development of senior management capabilities. Workforce planning and the management of people also remain relevant to Human Resources, especially where organisations are preparing employees for greater responsibilities.
What Could the Appointment Mean for Swansea Building Society’s Future?
The appointment places Griffiths in a more senior position within Swansea Building Society’s executive structure at a time when the organisation is continuing to develop its business.
His previous responsibilities across finance, treasury, IT and HR mean that he has worked with several functions that influence the Society’s overall performance. His involvement in long-term strategy and organisational initiatives has also provided experience of working with the Board and senior leadership team.
For the Society, the promotion may support continuity in executive decision-making and leadership development. It also provides an opportunity to draw on Griffiths’ knowledge of its operations as it responds to changes in the financial services sector and the needs of its members.
However, the announcement does not set out detailed future targets for the deputy chief executive or specify changes to the Society’s strategy following the appointment. It therefore remains important to distinguish the confirmed reasons for the promotion from any assumptions about future business decisions.
What has been made clear is that the Society considers Griffiths’ experience and contribution important to its long-term plans. Williams has highlighted his knowledge of the organisation and commitment to members, while Griffiths has expressed his intention to work with the chief executive, Board and colleagues to build on the Society’s achievements.
The appointment also reflects the role of internal leadership development in organisations where knowledge of existing operations and relationships can be important to future planning.
What Are the Main Facts About Nathan Griffiths’ Appointment?
Swansea Building Society’s announcement confirms Nathan Griffiths’ appointment as deputy chief executive and identifies succession planning as the central reason for the leadership development move.
Griffiths brings eight years of experience at Deloitte, where he specialised in the banking and building society sector, followed by a role at Monmouthshire Building Society and his appointment as finance director at Swansea Building Society in July 2019.
At Swansea, his responsibilities have covered finance, treasury, IT and human resources, alongside involvement in strategic, commercial and organisational initiatives. Both Alun Williams and Griffiths have emphasised the importance of the Society’s members, values and long-term development.
The announcement does not provide a timetable for any further leadership changes or specify new responsibilities beyond the deputy chief executive appointment. It does, however, establish that Swansea Building Society is continuing to develop its senior leadership team as it seeks to build on its existing progress.
For the organisation, the appointment marks a significant step in its succession planning. For Griffiths, it represents the next stage of a career developed across accountancy, financial services and mutual building society management.