NACFB welcomes two new NEDs to board

Angela Norman (pictured above, left) joins as patron lender director and William Grove (right) has been appointed as finance director.

Angela is managing director at YBS Commercial Mortgages, the commercial-lending arm of Yorkshire Building Society.

Bringing over 25 years of commercial finance experience, Angela joined the business in 2024 from Recognise Bank and has held senior leadership roles across RBS, Lloyds Banking Group, and other major lenders.

William brings decades of experience in financial leadership and corporate governance, having held board-level roles at In Partnership, Mortgages for Business, Towergate Insurance, and several other firms across financial services, fintech, and property.

Angela commented: “I’m delighted to take up this position and have the opportunity to make a real difference, championing the customer and broker relationship, with a customer-first mindset.

“My career has been shaped by a commitment to supporting the borrowing needs of UK businesses, and as part of my role as a NED, I’m committed to ensuring that industry developments — especially those around technology — translate into improved customer and broker experiences, which also put the customer at the heart of every decision made.”

William said: “I’m honoured to join the NACFB board at such a pivotal time.

“I look forward to supporting the NACFB’s mission by helping ensure it remains agile, transparent, and well-positioned to serve its members and lender patrons.”

Commenting on the appointments, NACFB CEO Jim Higginbotham stated: “When appointing new NEDs, we seek individuals who can provide expert insight, challenge constructively, and champion our strategic vision.

“Angela and William bring to the table a depth of experience and sector understanding that will help shape the future direction of the NACFB.”

Interim chair of the NACFB, Adrian Coles, added: “Angela and William have already made meaningful contributions in board discussions.

“Their perspectives are helping to sharpen our priorities, and we look forward to their continued input as we deliver initiatives that support both brokers and SMEs.”