The Personal Finance Society (PFS) board has appointed Piers White as its first independent chair.

The role was created by the organisation following an internal governance review that was completed last year.

White will be joined on the PFS board by Debbie Mitchell and Mike Crane as new directors, while Christine Elliot will depart, having served as the board’s interim chair since December 2023.

White will join the PFS board for an initial three-year term, and Mitchell and Crane for one-year terms, all effective from 1 June.

President at the PFS, Anthony Ward, said: "I am delighted to welcome White as our new chair, alongside our new Director appointments, Mitchell and Crane. Their combined backgrounds in financial services and beyond further bolster the expertise that we have made available to our members over the past year.

"The appointment of an independent chair, completed through a competitive and rigorous selection process, was one of the key recommendations from our governance review. We are all looking forward to working with White to elevate the benefits our members experience from being part of our society and advancing our mission."

White added: "I am honoured to serve PFS members as the first independent chair of their organisation. I believe my significant experience in running financial services businesses, alongside my 20 years in a broad range of chair and non-executive positions spanning multiple sectors, complements the skills and knowledge brought by my fellow board members.

"It is clear to me that the PFS board has taken great strides forward over the past year, and I would like to add my personal thanks to Elliot for her leadership and wise counsel in recent weeks. I am looking forward to speaking and working with members and colleagues to understand how we can shape the next chapter in our organisation’s future together, to deliver ever greater value and benefit, and advance our public purpose."

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