Last updated 12:04, Monday, 18 August 2008

IT’S women’s year at Barrow’s locally founded Furness Building Society.

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In May it appointed Avril Willis as its first ever woman chairman.

Now it has appointed the first woman company secretary in the organisation’s 143-year history.

Susan Heron is only the seventh company secretary at the Furness since it opened its doors to savers and mortgage borrowers.

Mrs Heron officially took up the post from August 1, following a lineage which began with the society’s founder William Nash, followed by George Goddard, Harold Dunn, Kenneth Ackred, John Wood and Philip Shipman.

Mrs Heron has worked for the society for almost 13 years.

She began her career in the Lancaster branch as a branch assistant, progressing to become the manager of the newly formed Furness Direct department in the Barrow head office in 2001.

Since then she has managed the risk, compliance and audit functions as well as becoming the assistant secretary in 2007.

She said: “I have really enjoy working for the society and have witnessed a number of changes over the years.

“This is currently a challenging time for all in the financial services industry, however I believe Furness Building Society will continue to do all it can to maintain its great service reputation with its members and potential customers. I am honoured to be appointed as secretary and also to be the first female in the position.”

Chief executive Rob Cairns said: “I am really pleased for Sue and strongly believe that she will do a fantastic job for the society, carrying on the good work of her male predecessors.

“A big vote of thanks must go to the sterling work of Philip Shipman, the previous group secretary, who has been with the Furness since 1971 and will continue as deputy chief executive.”

The company secretary’s role includes areas like keeping the company’s records and arranging its board meetings, and ensuring the company files statutory documents to the appropriate authorities.