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Your Board

Non-Executive Directors

  • Stuart Purdy

    Stuart Purdy

    Chair of the Board

    Stuart Purdy became Chair of British Friendly in 2019 and holds several roles in UK financial services businesses. He is the Chair of Assurant Europe Group and is a Board member of the Medical Protection Society, a global mutual organisation. He is also the Senior Independent Director and Board Member of International General Insurance (UK). In his executive career, Stuart was Product and Investment Director of Aviva Europe, CEO of Ireland’s largest insurance group and led the launch of Aviva’s business in India. His last Executive role was as CEO of RSA’s Asia and Middle East Region. While in India, Stuart established a partnership with Arpana Trust to set up the Aviva Balvatika School in the slum resettlement area of Delhi that has now educated more than 6000 children. He has a strong belief in Corporate Social Responsibility. Stuart is also the Chair of Age Scotland, a charity that supports older people across Scotland. Stuart lives in Edinburgh with his wife and two children.


  • Robin Willison

    Robin Willison

    Senior Independent Director

    Robin Willison has worked for over 40 years in Financial Services, including a series of senior leadership positions in Lloyds Bank and LV=. He is also on the Board of Health Shield Friendly Society as Senior Independent Director and a Trustee of the national debt advice charity CAP UK. Robin is an active member of his local community and at various times has been a youth club leader, school governor and a trustee of several charities. He’s currently supporting a group of local schools as a Member of a Multi Academy Trust. He has been married to Anna for over 40 years and has four grown up children, with his time increasingly being taken up by proudly supporting nine grandchildren at various activities and events.


  • Samantha Blackie

    Samantha Blackie

    Chair of Remuneration and Nomination Committee

    Samantha Blackie joined the Board in June 2019 as a Non-Executive Director and is Chair of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee. She has over 30 years’ corporate experience as a Human Resources Director, starting her career in retail followed by several senior positions across the Financial Services sector, including Group People and Corporate Affairs Director at Royal London, the UK’s largest Mutual Life Insurance and Pensions company. In addition, Sam has been a trustee of UK and Irish pension schemes, a Trustee of Meningitis Now, as well as a Council member of Aberystwyth University where she also chaired the Governance and Compliance Committee. Sam is currently a Non-Executive Director, Chair of the Remuneration Committee and Senior Independent Director for the Medical Protection Society. Through both her executive and non-executive career, Sam has extensive experience of the operation of governance committees such as the Remuneration and Nomination Committee and now chairs this committee within the Society. Having completed her Masters in Business Psychology, she has a particular interest in leadership development, culture and organisation change. Outside of work, Sam enjoys the outdoor life that living near the Forest of Dean brings and is a keen gardener.


  • Perry Thomas

    Perry Thomas

    Chair of Risk and Investment Committee

    Perry is an actuary with 35 years in financial services and Chairs the Risk & Investment Committee. Perry has recently been appointed CEO* at Flood Re, a specialist flood reinsurer, and in addition to this he also Chairs the Audit and Risk Committee at Assurant UK, a general insurer. He has been CEO of HSBC’s UK Life insurer, HSBC Re, HSBC Insurance Ireland, and was founding CEO of RGA UK - a pan-European life reinsurer. He’s also been Group Chief Actuary for a global bank and a Group Chief Risk Officer of several large firms, including Scottish Widows and Lloyds Bank’s Wealth business, covering stock broking, investment, asset management and wealth advisory. He’s held directorships in the UK, Bermuda, Ireland, India, South Africa, Holland, Malta & Luxembourg. In 2017 he was elected for a 3-year term to the Council for the Institute & Faculty of Actuaries. He’s been an Associate of the Society of Actuaries in the USA and a Certified Enterprise Risk Analyst (CERA). Perry completed an MBA in 2004 and thoroughly enjoyed it! Perry is dyslexic, which complicated his early school years, but he believes this often allows him to bring a different perspective. *subject to regulatory approval


  • Ian Bullock

    Ian Bullock

    Chair of Audit and Compliance Committee

    Ian Bullock joined the Board in June 2019 as Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit and Compliance Committee. For 40 years he has held senior roles right across the Financial Services sector. His roles have included chairing two Boards, Managing Director and Board-level responsibility for distribution, marketing, operations, and customer experience. He is a qualified actuary and brings expertise and experience in business, finance, and risk management. Ian has a real passion for people – both customers and colleagues. His most fulfilling role was as Chief Customer Officer at Yorkshire Building Society where his primary responsibility was to ensure that all customers received excellent value, well-crafted service and top-class overall experience. The Society was sector-leading in each of these aspects. Ian is a sport-loving family man.


  • Simon Owens

    Simon Owens

    Chief Executive Officer

    Simon Owens joined the Board in June 2020 as the Society’s Chief Financial Officer and subsequently became the Society’s Chief Executive Officer in June 2021. Simon has over 20 years’ experience of working in the Financial Services sector where he has held financial, commercial and operational leadership positions in Life Insurance, Health Insurance, General Insurance, Pensions and Financial Advice businesses including Legal & General and Aviva. Simon’s desire to make a difference and commercial acumen has led to key strategic roles delivering transformation and change. Simon also serves as a Board member of the Association of Financial Mutuals. The Association of Financial Mutuals promotes and supports the mutual sector for the benefit of customers and members throughout the U.K. Originally from Cheshire, Simon now lives in Surrey and is married with four children and a chocolate labrador. Simon is a qualified youth football, rugby and cricket coach and spends much of his time away from the Society encouraging and developing children’s passion for sport. Simon provides further support to his community as a Board member of a Multi Academy Trust incorporating seven local schools.


  • Reeshi Harania

    Reeshi Harania

    Chief Risk and Technology Officer

    Reeshi joined the Society in 2020 as Head of Risk and joined the Society’s Executive Management team in June 2021 as Risk and Compliance Director. Reeshi was promoted to Chief Risk Officer and appointed as a Board member in January 2023 and now holds the role of Chief Risk and Technology Officer overseeing the Society’s Risk, Compliance and IT functions. Reeshi is also the Society’s Company Secretary and a director of the Society’s consumer credit subsidiary, BFS Member Services Limited. Reeshi has many years’ experience and has held numerous risk positions in the financial services sector. His focus within the Society is on regulatory compliance and risk management, ensuring controlled and compliant delivery of the Society’s strategic plan. Reeshi lives in Hertfordshire with his wife, young child, two dogs and is a keen motorsport enthusiast.