Garner joins Nationwide from a similar role at Openreach, which is part of the BT group.
He has previously worked as deputy chief executive of HSBC Bank PLC and head of HSBC in the UK, which included responsibility for all of HSBC’s retail and commercial banking business. He was responsible for 15 million personal and business customers, and a UK balance of over £250bn.
Nationwide’s chairman David Roberts said: “Joe is an exceptional leader and is exactly the right person to lead the Society through the next chapter of its journey. I look forward to welcoming him to the business.”
Joe Garner added: “.. Nationwide has a remarkable heritage and the fact that as a mutual it is owned by its customers means that it is uniquely placed to lead and succeed in the next chapter of retail financial services in the UK. ..”
Graham Beale announced in May that he will be leaving the bank after nine years’ service, as its 2014/15 full year results showed profits of over £1bn.
