A building society has appointed a financial expert as its non-executive director.

Cumberland Building Society welcomes Richard Pike, who brings more than three decades of experience in corporate and entrepreneurial environments.

Mr Pike previously held senior leadership roles at organisations including Permanent TSB in Ireland, Governor Software and the National and Cybersecurity Society in the US.

He has also worked with banking giants Starling Bank and JP Morgan.

Additionally, Mr Pike is a senior consultant for MyComplianceOffice Ltd, lecturer for The Institute of Banking and chair at insurance company FBD Insurance PLC.

Mr Pike's areas of expertise include strategy, technology, innovation and risk management.

Mr Pike said: "I am honoured to join the board of The Cumberland at such an exciting and dynamic time for the business.

“I look forward to contributing to The Cumberland’s continued success and to working with my fellow board members to uphold the highest standards of corporate governance to continue to provide a ‘kinder banking’ experience for customers.”

Non-executive director and chair elect at The Cumberland, Jackie Arnold, said: "Attracting Richard Pike to The Cumberland is not only testament to the strength of our board but also our values and purpose.

"His deep expertise in finance and leadership will be instrumental as we look to the future and strive to deliver exceptional value in ‘kinder banking’ to our customers."

Mr Pike will join board members Jackie Arnold, Des Moore, Richard Ellison, Kelli Fairbrother, Vicky Bruce, Mark Stanger, Cameron Marr and Anna Barsby.

All are committed to upholding The Cumberland’s ‘kinder banking’ ethos.

The Cumberland recently announced that Ms Arnold will become the new chair of the board - the first woman in the society’s 174-year history to hold the post.

She takes over from John Hooper, who will step down at the society’s annual general meeting on July 22 after serving five years in the role and nearly nine years as a non-executive director.

Based in Carlisle, The Cumberland is Cumbria’s largest financial institution with assets of £3.2bn and mortgage lending of £2.59bn in the year to March.