Darlington Building Society has welcomed former Northern Echo Editor Peter Barron as a Non-Executive Director.

Peter has strong ties with the North East, the Society’s operating area, stemming from his illustrious career in journalism which began when he was just 18 years old. He was the longest-serving Editor of the Northern Echo – one of the largest regional newspapers – and in 2014 was awarded an MBE for services to journalism and North East life.

Andrew Craddock, Darlington Building Society Chief Executive said of Peter’s appointment: “I am thrilled to welcome Peter to the Darlington Building Society Board. Many businesses in the North East will be familiar with Peter and his fantastic work and dedication to the region. He has an intricate knowledge of the towns we operate from, knows what makes our local communities tick and is passionate about representing their needs.

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"In addition to his local knowledge, Peter’s PR experience and local business network will be a real asset to the Society. He has the unique ability to promote and guide Darlington Building Society in a way that resonates with the people in our local community, helping to deliver our ‘members first’ approach.”

Peter said: “My association with Darlington Building Society goes back many years during my career as a journalist and editor in the North East, and it is an organisation that I have come to admire greatly for the difference it makes in so many ways to the communities it serves.

"I am both thrilled and proud to be joining the board as a non-executive director, and I look forward to helping the Society to meet the needs of those communities, and its members, in this latest period of an illustrious history that goes back more than 160 years.

“My role as a NED will be focused on providing marketing advice, and being a bridge to local communities, using my network of contacts across the region – built up over 40 years as a working journalist – to keep the Society abreast of local issues and opportunities.  ”

Peter is one of three Non-Executive Directors who were appointed to Darlington Building Society’s Board in September. Other new appointments include John Sutherland and Robert Sinclair.

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