Annette Barnes awarded Honorary Fellowship from the Chartered Banker Institute
The Chartered Banker Institute has awarded an Honorary Fellowship to Annette Barnes, Chief Executive Officer of Leeds Building Society, in recognition of her significant contribution to financial services, her commitment to developing people and her championing of customer-focused service.
Annette has built a career spanning banking, wealth management and financial services leadership, including senior roles at Lloyds Banking Group and Bank of America. Annette joined the Board of Leeds Building Society in 2019 and in 2025, she became the first female Chief Executive Officer in the Society’s 151-year history.
Beyond her work in colleague development, Annette has been a passionate advocate for improving financial confidence and widening opportunities for home ownership. Throughout her career, she has highlighted the important role financial services can play in helping individuals, families and communities achieve their aspirations, while championing the importance of trust, accessibility and long-term financial wellbeing. Under her leadership, Leeds Building Society has made a series of promises to its members, including keeping all 51 branches open until at least September 2031, maintaining consistent weekday opening hours and providing face-to-face support without an appointment. The Society has also pledged to retain savings passbooks and reward existing members with exclusive opportunities.
Having started her career in a role equivalent to an apprenticeship, Annette is passionate about apprenticeships and their role in supporting social mobility. Her commitment to learning and development reflects that experience, championing opportunities for people from all backgrounds to build the skills and confidence to progress in their careers.
Presenting the award, Tanya Retter, Chief Executive Officer of the Chartered Banker Institute, said:
"Annette embodies many of the values the Chartered Banker Institute seeks to promote across the profession, including professionalism, integrity and lifelong learning.
Her career demonstrates how strong leadership can deliver commercial success while remaining firmly focused on people, purpose and making a positive difference to customers and communities. We are delighted to recognise her achievements through the award of Honorary Fellowship”
Receiving the award, Annette Barnes said:
“I am delighted and humbled to receive this Honorary Fellowship from the Chartered Banker Institute. Throughout my 40 years in financial services, putting customers first has been at the heart of everything I do.
I have been fortunate to work alongside people who care deeply about doing the right thing for customers, and this recognition reminds me how much I owe to those who have taught, supported and challenged me along the way. At Leeds Building Society, being proudly mutual starts with understanding what matters to our members and finding ways to help as their lives change. It is our colleagues who make that possible, and I am proud to be leading the Society through its next chapter.”
The Chartered Banker Institute's Honorary Fellowship recognises individuals whose leadership, influence and achievements have made a significant and lasting contribution to financial services while supporting the continued development of a trusted and respected profession.
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