Skipton Building Society, part of the Skipton Group, has announced the appointment of Hasintha Gunawickrema to its board as non-executive director, subject to regulatory approval.

After starting her career at Barclays as a financial analyst, Gunawickrema went on to hold a number of executive positions at HSBC Bank PLC, including management accountant, head of business management, chief control officer and chief operating officer. She worked for HSBC Bank PLC (Group) for 16 years in India and the UK.

On joining the board, Gunawickrema will have oversight of the Skipton Group, a collection of businesses spanning the housing, IT, and financial services industries. The group includes Skipton Building Society and the Connells Group of estate agencies.

Gwyn Burr, chair of the Skipton Group, said: “Hasintha’s appointment to the Board reflects our commitment to bringing in leaders with proven expertise, diverse perspectives, and a deep understanding of the financial services sector. Her experience across international markets, coupled with her passion for transformation and leadership development, will be a great asset to Skipton as we continue to grow. We are delighted to welcome Hasintha to the Skipton Group and look forward to the impact she will have on the Group’s future success.”