Nationwide Building Society has announced a significant leadership change affecting all 16 million of its customers. Effective January 2026, Hannah Bernard OBE will take the helm as Group Director of Business Banking, steering the society’s expansion into the business banking sector.
Hannah Bernard brings a wealth of experience to Nationwide, having previously served as Head of Business Banking at Barclays UK. In that role, she managed profitability, growth, and strategic direction for Barclays’ business banking division. Her extensive background also includes serving as Deputy CEO at Sainsbury’s Bank and Director of Customer Experience at Sainsbury’s Supermarkets.
Renowned for her advocacy supporting female entrepreneurs, Hannah was appointed co-chair of the UK Government’s Invest in Women Taskforce in 2024, aiming to close the investment gap for female-founded businesses.
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This leadership appointment comes as Nationwide continues to extend its mutual model benefits to the business sector after becoming the first major mutual to offer business banking services following its 2024 acquisition of Virgin Money.
Dame Debbie Crosbie DBE, Nationwide’s Group Chief Executive Officer, expressed enthusiasm about the new appointment: “Hannah’s commercial insight and customer-first mindset position us to successfully replicate Nationwide’s retail banking success within business banking, delivering mutuality’s benefits at scale for UK businesses.”
Hannah’s impressive track record includes roles as Head of Business Banking (April 2020 – August 2025), Head of Mortgages at Barclays UK (July 2017 – March 2020), and Chief Financial Officer for Personal Banking at Barclays UK (November 2015 – June 2017).
Commenting on her new role, Hannah Bernard OBE said: “Nationwide is one of the UK’s strongest brands with industry-leading customer service. I’m excited to blend these strengths into a distinctive business banking strategy that unlocks the full potential of the Virgin Money acquisition.”