Nationwide makes historic announcement for all 17 million customers (BirminghamLive)
Nationwide faces an AGM in July after one of its longtime members secured enough support for a spot on the lender’s annual ballot.
By James Rodger, Content Editor
09:57, 27 Apr 2026
Nationwide could have its first customer on its board for nearly 25 years. Nationwide, which has branches in Birmingham, faces an AGM in July after one of its longtime members secured enough support for a spot on the lender’s annual ballot.
James Sherwin-Smith will be up for board elections at Nationwide’s annual general meeting (AGM) in July. Sherwin-Smith’s place has been confirmed after he gathered more than the 250 peer nominations necessary to run alongside existing directors.
The 45-year-old is bidding to become the first Nationwide customer – known as members – to sit on the board of the building society for 24 years, with the last having retired in 2002.
Nationwide, which is rivalled by HSBC UK, Lloyds, Santander, Barclays, NatWest and more, has 17 million customers.
Sherwin-Smith said: “At a time when Nationwide is integrating Virgin Money, I think this raises a wider question about member representation, mutual governance and how contested board elections should work in practice.
“With a place on the ballot now secured, my focus is on ensuring members have a clear and fair opportunity to make an informed decision about who represents them on the board.”
A Nationwide spokesperson said: “We received a submission from James Sherwin-Smith, which was checked against the society’s published rules.
“Mr Sherwin-Smith received 256 valid nominations, exceeding the threshold set out in the rules.
“He will therefore be included on the ballot at the society’s AGM.” The online Annual General Meeting (AGM) gives Nationwide members a chance to have their say and vote for who should be on the Board.
Nationwide explains: “We are owned by our members – those with a Nationwide savings, bank, or residential mortgage account.
“Members had their say at our AGM, voting on key decisions and Board elections.” The 2025 meeting also covered how Nationwide “delivered value to members”.
It also covered “how we’ve improved our service,” “the ways we listen to and act on member views,” and “the charities we support.”