Scottish Friendly names director David Huntley as chairman, replacing Michael Walker

Scottish Friendly director David Huntley is to take the chairman seat on the departure of Michael Walker, who is stepping down after 11 years.

Huntley has spent more than 30 years in financial services. Picture: contributed.

The latter was appointed to the post in January 2009 in the aftermath of the global financial crisis and has overseen the Glasgow-based firm’s “dramatic growth and innovation” in the years since.

The company said its progress over the past decade has been built on its “diversify and growth” strategy, emphasised as the group worked to emerge from the financial crisis in a stronger position than it entered it and Walker’s primary focus during his long tenure.

Scottish Friendly said the during this time it has seen its assets under management grow to £5.3 billion from £704 million, while membership numbers have risen to more than 700,000 from 489,000.

Walker was also formerly managing partner and chairman of legal firm Maclay Murray & Spens and recently stood down as chairman of Walkers Shortbread. He will now hand over the reins to current Scottish Friendly director and chair of the board risk committee, Huntley, who has spent more than 30 years in financial services and has held several roles at a chief executive and MD level, such as leading Swiss Re Australia.

Scottish Friendly said he takes the chairman seat at a “hugely exciting” juncture in its history. He said: “It is an honour to take over from Michael who has overseen an incredible and transformative period in Scottish Friendly’s long history. He has supported the management team and board as we have established the group as a leading mutual and Scottish financial services organisation serving members up and down the UK.

“As we turn to the new challenges we will face in the next decade I look forward to taking on this new responsibility and working closely with the rest of the Board and management team, and all of our fantastic colleagues, to build on the success of the last decade.”

Walker said: “I am incredibly proud of Scottish Friendly’s achievements over the past 11 years and how far we’ve come as a group. We’ve enjoyed exponential growth, which has allowed us to focus continually on improving the value and service we offer to members.

“I’m very pleased that David has been chosen by the board to take on the position of chairman and I wish him all the very best for the future.”

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