• Swindon & Wiltshire Appointments
• Tuesday December 16 2025

Nationwide CEO named new Women in Finance champion

The CEO of Swindon-based building society Nationwide has been appointed as the new Women in Finance champion by the chancellor of the exchequer, Rachel Reeves.

Dame Debbie Crosbie succeeds Aviva CEO Dame Amanda Blanc, whose tenure saw senior female representation in key finance roles jump from 32 per cent to 36 per cent as well as leading the charge on strengthening the pipeline for women into financial services.

As Champion, Dame Debbie will continue to drive momentum behind the HM Treasury Women in Finance Charter, which covers more than 440 firms and aims to improve the representation of women in senior leadership to boost the productivity and growth of UK financial services.

Rachel Reeves said: When I became chancellor, I said my time in office would be a success if more young women and girls knew there should be no ceiling on their ambition and no limit to what they can achieve.

“The Women in Finance Charter is a key tool to achieve that progress. I thank Amanda for her exceptional leadership over the past 5 years, and look forward to working with Debbie as she takes on the mantle.”

Dame Debbie said: “When women succeed in business they inspire the next generation and ensure economic growth is sustainable and inclusive.

“The Charter is key to driving even more growth in financial services and harnessing all of the sector’s skills and talents.

“I look forward to building on the excellent progress made by Amanda, and working with the Chancellor and across our industry to encourage even more growth and progress.”

Dame Debbie joined Nationwide as its first-ever female CEO in June 2022 and was appointed a Dame Commander of the British Empire (DBE) in June 2025 for services to the financial sector.

She will take up the Women in Finance Champion role from 1 January 2026, serving in an unpaid, direct ministerial appointment reporting to the Economic Secretary to the Treasury.