Alun Williams, the current longest-serving building society Chief Executive in the UK, is celebrating 25 years at the helm of Swansea Building Society with the announcement of a £25,000 charitable fund to support good causes across Wales during 2026, alongside the release of a landmark filmed interview reflecting on his quarter-century leading the Society.
The funding will be distributed to charities and community organisations throughout the year and is in addition to the Society’s ongoing charitable giving, including its support for Prostate Cymru, the Society’s official charity partner for 2026.
The announcement comes as the Society marks a remarkable period of sustained growth, resilience, and deep-rooted community impact.
To commemorate the milestone, Alun has taken part in a special filmed interview with Swansea-born musician and broadcaster Mal Pope, reflecting on his journey, the Society’s transformation, and the values that have underpinned its success.
Appointed in 2001 at the age of just 36, Alun became one of the youngest building society CEOs in the UK. At the time, Swansea Building Society had total assets of £34 million and a modest operational footprint. Under his leadership, the Society has grown into one of the strongest-performing mutuals in the UK, with total assets reaching £715 million as of 31 December 2025.
Over the same period, annual profits have increased significantly, while the Society has consistently ranked among the top-performing building societies in the UK over the past decade. This sustained success has been achieved while remaining true to its mutual model, funded entirely by members’ savings and retained profits, without reliance on wholesale funding.
A Swansea native, Alun has remained committed to a local, community-first approach throughout his tenure. From expanding the Society’s branch network across Wales – with a clear ethos of opening, not closing, branches – to investing in digital innovation, including the launch of a mobile banking app in 2025, his leadership has successfully balanced traditional service values with modern convenience.
The Society has strengthened its presence across the region through long-standing partnerships, sponsorships and community initiatives, including support for local charities such as Wales Air Ambulance, Maggie’s and Prostate Cymru. Its naming rights partnership with the Swansea Building Society Arena stands as a visible symbol of this commitment to the city.
This community focus extends well beyond financial services. Over the years, the Society has supported a wide range of initiatives, from grassroots organisations to major regional institutions including Swansea City AFC, Ospreys, Swansea RFC and Glamorgan County Cricket Club. During its centenary year, it further demonstrated this commitment by distributing £100,000 to local charities and community projects, supporting initiatives that continue to make a lasting difference across South Wales.
The newly announced £25,000 charitable fund forms part of that ongoing commitment to giving back to the communities the Society serves and marks another significant milestone in its long-standing support for charitable and community causes.
In the interview, conducted at three venues across the city with strong links to the Society, Alun reflects candidly on the challenges faced over the past quarter-century – from the global financial crisis to the Covid-19 pandemic – and the importance of resilience, teamwork, and long-term thinking.
Alun Williams, Chief Executive of Swansea Building Society, said:
“It has been a privilege to lead Swansea Building Society over the past 25 years. When I joined, the priority was clear, to grow the Society in a sustainable way while staying true to its purpose as a mutual organisation.
“I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together as a team. Our success is built on the trust of our members, the dedication of our staff, and our commitment to the communities we serve. Ensuring the Society remains strong for future generations has always been at the heart of every decision we’ve made.
“As we mark this milestone, it felt important to recognise the communities that have supported the Society throughout its history. The additional £25,000 charitable fund is a way of giving something back and supporting organisations that make a genuine difference to people’s lives across Wales.”
