Background image: Meet the Team 
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Meet the Team 

Our Senior Leadership Team

Paul Denton

Chief Executive Officer

Paul was appointed Chief Executive Officer in June 2019.

“I have over 30 years’ experience in financial services and I’m a Fellow of the Chartered Banker Institute. I began my career with the Royal Bank of Scotland holding various senior positions before moving to the Co-operative Bank as Director for Branch, Mortgages and Business Banking. Before joining the Scottish Building Society, I was Managing Director, Operations of the UK’s largest funeral business, Co-op Funeralcare.”

Neil Easson

Finance Director

Neil joined the Scottish in January 2019 and was appointed to the Board in April 2020.

“I’m a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years’ experience in the financial services sector. Before joining the Scottish, I held a range of senior finance positions in Lloyd’s Banking Group.

My role as Finance Director also includes responsibility for the Society’s Retail Credit and Product Management teams.  I also chair Asset & Liability Committee and Retail credit Committee.”


Tina Harkin

Society Secretary

Tina joined the Society in March 2020.

“I’m a chartered Company Secretary and a Fellow of the Chartered Governance Institute with over 20 years’ experience in company secretariat and governance roles, primarily in financial services.
My previous role was Head of Secretariat at Lloyds Banking Group Insurance. My career also includes senior secretariat and governance roles, including Standard Life Investments, National Grid, RBS, Capita, TMF Group and Burness Paull.”

Maria Luisa Twomey

Head of HR

Maria Luisa joined the Society as Head of HR in October 2020.

”I’m responsible for the Society’s colleague and culture proposition. I have a wealth of experience within the Financial Services sector including roles at Citigroup, RBS and State Street.”

Stephen Brown

Head of Intermediaries

Stephen was appointed Head of Intermediaries in March 2020.

“I have a wealth of experience in financial services and started my career in the mortgage advice sector, notably with moneyQuest as Senior Technical manager and with Clydesdale Bank, as part of their Intermediary Distribution Team.
I’ve worked in various areas of the industry, including advice, as a large loans specialist, business development manager and project stakeholder.”

Derek Johnston

Chief Risk Officer

Derek joined the Society in September 2021

“I’m a Chartered Banker with a BA (hons) in Financial Services with over 30 years’ experience in the financial services industry. I joined the Scottish Building Society from RBS / Natwest after 18 years in senior risk roles covering the branch network, telephony banking, digital banking and transformation projects across the Retail Banking division. I’ve also worked for Ernst & Young and the Clydesdale Bank.

My role in the Society is to ensure we continue to effectively manage risk and comply with all relevant regulatory requirements.”

Suzanne Williamson

Head of Membership

Suzanne joined the Society in May 2021

''I was previously Partnership Director Scotland, for a large Out of Home advertising company managing private and public sector contracts and developing new advertising opportunities. However, I started my career at RBS and held various roles managing advertising, sponsorship and media buying for the Bank. At the Society, I am responsible for ensuring our members interests remain first and foremost and to promote the Society and its many benefits to a wider audience.''