Today (Friday 1 November) Skipton Building Society, part of the Skipton Group, announces the appointment of Hasintha Gunawickrema to its Board as non-Executive director. This is subject to regulatory approval.
After starting her career at Barclays as a financial analyst, Hasintha went on to hold a number of executive positions at HSBC Bank PLC (Group), including Management Accountant, Head of Business Management, Chief Control Officer (CCO) and Chief Operating Officer (COO). Managing Director and Chief Control Officer was her last position at HSBC. She worked for HSBC Bank PLC (Group) for 16 years in India and the UK.
Joining Skipton’s Board, Hasintha brings an impressive academic and career background. She is also an alumnus of Harvard Business School and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) – UK. With two decades of experience in the financial services industry, Hasintha has built a solid track record of success in leadership roles across the UK, Europe, and Asia.
Throughout her career, Hasintha has led on numerous large-scale initiatives aimed at driving business growth and enhancing risk management capabilities. These initiatives have included business, risk, digital, and culture transformation programs, aimed at improving enterprise-wide risk management and business growth. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Hasintha is committed to leadership development, she is a passionate leadership coach and mentor, dedicated to empowering future leaders.
In joining the Skipton Board, Hasintha will have oversight of the Skipton Group, a collection of businesses spanning the housing, IT, and financial services industries. The Group, which employs around 18,000 people, includes:
- Skipton Building Society – the UK’s 4th largest building society with over one-million members. Established 170 years ago, Skipton provides residential mortgages, savings, and financial advice.
- Connells Group – the largest, most successful and most profitable high street estate agency and property services provider in the UK. Connells trade under 80 brands from over 1,200 estate agency branches across the UK.
- Skipton International – is established in Guernsey. It offers a range of residential mortgage options for Channel Island residents and UK Buy-To-Let products for non-UK residents, in addition to Sterling and US Dollar offshore savings accounts.
- Skipton Business Finance – a business financial services provider with over 20 years’ experience of providing tailored finance solutions to businesses across the UK.
- Jade – based predominantly in New Zealand Jade leverages emerging and existing technologies to deliver software solution products.
Gwyn Burr, Chair of the Skipton Group, said:
“Hasintha’s appointment to the Board reflects our commitment to bringing in leaders with proven expertise, diverse perspectives, and a deep understanding of the financial services sector. Her experience across international markets, coupled with her passion for transformation and leadership development, will be a great asset to Skipton as we continue to grow. We are delighted to welcome Hasintha to the Skipton Group and look forward to the impact she will have on the Group’s future success.”
Commenting on her appointment Hasintha said:
“I am incredibly honoured to join the Board of Skipton as a Non-Executive Director. Skipton’s mission, helping people into homes, saving for the future, and enjoying long-term financial security, resonates deeply with my own values. I firmly believe that financial services have the potential to create meaningful and positive changes in people’s lives. As a mutual organisation owned by its members, Skipton’s focus on giving back to the community and prioritising its members’ needs is something I admire and am passionate about. I look forward to working alongside my fellow board members and the Skipton team to further advance these shared goals, making a real difference in people’s lives through integrity, responsibility, and a commitment to their long-term well-being.”