Wales’ biggest building society, Principality, which has branches throughout Gwent, has announced appointments to three key executive roles in a move designed to further strengthen its senior management team and underpin its future success.

Julie-Ann Haines, will take on the pivotal new role of customer director – aimed at ensuring the society stays well ahead of the rapidly-changing nature of its customer base. Current deputy Group finance director Steve Hughes has been appointed to the board and will lead an enlarged function of group finance, treasury, IT and business change as group finance director.

And former group finance director, Guy Thomas will assume the role of group chief operating officer. Mike Jones, risk director, has also been appointed a director of the society.

The restructuring and expansion of the senior executive team followed the appointment of new group chief executive, Graeme Yorston.