Building Societies Association appoints Sarah Harrison as new Chief Executive

Sarah will take up the role from 1 December.

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Sarah HarrisonThe Building Societies Association (BSA) is delighted to announce the appointment of Sarah Harrison as its next Chief Executive. Sarah, an experienced chief executive, has over 30 years in strategic leadership roles as a public servant, working both for regulators and the government.  Sarah will take up the role from 1 December.

Sarah joins the BSA from the UK Government’s Cabinet Office, where she is currently Chief Operating Officer. Her extensive senior experience of government and regulation, her expertise in communications and corporate affairs and her leadership roles in relation to both consumer engagement and digital transformation ideally equip her to take on the leadership of the BSA at such a pivotal moment.

Sarah’s previous roles include Chief Operating Officer at the former business department (BEIS), Chief Executive of the Gambling Commission and senior roles at the energy regulator, Ofgem. Her earlier career was in government and public relations consultancy.  Sarah, who will be the BSA’s first female CEO, will be taking over from current Chief Executive, Robin Fieth, who is leaving the BSA after 12 years.

Sarah was awarded an MBE for services to Consumer Protection in 2016 and was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in the 2025 birthday honours for services to Government Productivity and Regulatory Excellence. 

Sarah Harrison said:

“As a strong advocate of the customer-ownership business model I feel really privileged to be asked to join the BSA, representing building societies and credit unions which provide vital financial services to consumers and communities across the UK.

“With the Government’s commitment to double the size of the mutual and co-operative economy, now is such an exciting time for the sector and a real opportunity to contribute to the growth and well-being of the UK economy.

“Financial services are critical to the Government’s growth ambitions and I’m looking forward to working with the sector and stakeholders to ensure building societies and credit unions interests are at the heart of this ambition.”

Julie-Ann Haines, Chair of the BSA said:

“After an extensive recruitment process, we are delighted that Sarah has agreed to lead the BSA. She comes to us with significant leadership experience alongside energy and passion for the mutual model.

“I’m confident she will provide the strategic leadership to continue to develop the role of building societies and credit unions at the heart of a thriving UK financial services sector.

“I would like to thank Robin Fieth for the outstanding contribution he has made during his 12 year tenure. Having joined the BSA while the sector was still bruised from the de-mutualisations of the 1990s and the 2008 financial crisis he has led us back to the thriving heart of financial services with mutuals on the march. We wish him all the very best for the future.”

[ENDS]

Press contacts:

Tanya Jackson, tanya.jackson@bsa.org.uk  Tel: 07881 501098
Debbie Enever, debbie.enever@bsa.org.uk Tel: 020 7520 5926
Katie Wise, katie.wise@bsa.org.uk Tel: 020 7520 5904

Notes to Editors:

Sarah’s appointment was made by the BSA Council, on the recommendation of the BSA’s Remuneration & Nominations Committee, which is responsible for making senior appointments at the BSA.

The Building Societies Association (BSA) represents all 42 UK building societies, including both mutual-owned banks, as well as 7 of the largest credit unions. Building societies have total assets of almost £650 billion and together with their subsidiaries, hold residential mortgages of over £485 billion, 29% of the total outstanding in the UK.

Our members are also helping over 23 million people build their financial resilience, holding over £485 billion of retail savings, accounting for 23% of all cash savings in the UK.

With all of their headquarters outside London, building societies employ around 52,300 full and part-time staff.  In addition to digital services, they operate through approximately 1,300 branches, holding a 30% share of branches across the UK[1].
 
[1] Employee and branch data relate to building societies only and do not include mutual – owned banks. This data is currently unavailable.