One of the UK’s top female bankers has joined business advisory firm Dow Schofield Watts as Non-Executive Director.
Heather Lauder has over 30 years’ experience in senior retail and business banking roles. In her most recent role as Chief Operations Director at the Co-op Bank, she led the transformation of its retail banking arm, helping to return it to profitability and to revitalise its intermediary business.
She was also a member of the executive team which oversaw the turnaround of Northern Rock and its sale to Virgin Money. She started her career at RBS where she held a number of global roles, and helped Tesco Bank to develop its in-store banking strategy.
Heather has won multiple awards as a director and been named as one of the Northern Power Women’s top 50 Power List. She currently sits on the board of the National Museums & Galleries of Liverpool and chairs both its audit committee and its risk and remuneration committee, reporting directly to the Secretary of State and the National Audit Office.
Her appointment at Dow Schofield Watts will help the firm to strengthen its board and support its ongoing national expansion. The firm operates a licensing model which allows professionals to run their own business under the Dow Schofield Watts brand.
Heather said: “This new role at Dow Schofield Watts is a great opportunity to use the business experience I’ve gained in banking and apply it to the world of professional services, which is undergoing a period of scrutiny and change.”
Nicole Burstow, Finance Director at Dow Schofield Watts, added: ‘Heather is one of the most highly respected figures in banking and we are delighted to welcome her to the board. The landscape for the accountancy profession is changing, offering opportunities for those with alternative business models, and will ultimately bring greater choice for professionals and clients. Heather’s experience of setting strategy and delivering change will be invaluable in helping us to achieve our growth plans.”
