Smitheringale’s immediate objective is to lead the society’s mortgage, savings and investments business growth and to increase the Cambridge Building Society’s name awareness across both the City and the wider East Anglia region.
He comes to the Cambridge with 25 years experience in the financial services industry, the majority of which was spent working for the Skipton Building Society Group where he looked after the sales, marketing, corporate communications and mortgage intermediary business divisions, and more recently ran a group subsidiary business, a specialist IT bureau and managed service solutions division.
“I have a great affinity with Cambridgeshire and have always admired the way the Cambridge Building Society goes about its business,” said Smitheringale. “In particular its determination to remain an independent, progressive mutual organisation with a steadfast commitment to the local consumer and business communities it serves.
“I’ve enjoyed some very good times with Skipton and it was always going to take a special position – and a special society – to prise me away.”
Steven Mitcham, the Cambridge’s chief executive, added: “We’re delighted to have Mark on board. His wide ranging experience is just what we need as we continue to expand our business offering and cement our position as the preeminent local building society of choice amongst existing and new customers, alike. We’re very much looking forward to seeing Mark’s new ideas and dynamism at work.”
