Dame Debbie Crosbie Becomes First Woman to Win Banking Lifetime Award

Dame Debbie Crosbie DBE FCBI, Chief Executive of Nationwide Building Society, is set to make history as the first woman to receive the Chartered Banker Institute’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Dame will be only the fifth person to receive the award, which is reserved for individuals whose careers have made an exceptional and lasting impact on banking standards and wider society.

The award honors her more than 30 years of leadership, integrity and service to the financial sector. As a Fellow of the Institute, she has consistently promoted professional excellence, social mobility, diversity and inclusion, and ethical and sustainable banking, inspiring both her peers and future banking professionals.

Throughout her career, Dame has achieved several milestones. In 2015, she became the first woman to sign Scottish banknotes while serving as Chief Operating Officer of Clydesdale Bank. She later led TSB from 2019 before becoming Nationwide’s first female Chief Executive in 2022. At Nationwide, she has balanced business growth with social responsibility, overseeing the acquisition of Virgin Money and introducing dementia-friendly clinics in branches.

Key Highlights:

• Dame Debbie Crosbie will receive the Chartered Banker Institute’s Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to banking and society
• She became the first woman to sign Scottish banknotes in 2015 and Nationwide’s first female Chief Executive in 2022
• She has championed professional standards, gender equality, diversity and inclusion, and ethical banking throughout her career

In the 2025 King's Birthday Honors, she was conferred the title of Dame for services to the financial sector, and she has been serving as the Women in Finance Champion for the UK Government since the beginning of 2026, aiming to enhance gender parity in financial services.

Paul Denton, President of the Chartered Banker Institute, said: "Dame Debbie has been first through some very significant doors, and she has spent her career helping others follow. That combination of achievement and advocacy, always anchored in high professional standards, will leave a legacy for generations of banking professionals to come. It is an honor to present this award to her. "

Dame Debbie Crosbie said: “Professionalism, trust and excellent service are essential to long-term success in any business, but especially when people rely on you to look after their money. Being a Fellow of the Chartered Banker Institute has helped me keep professional standards at the heart of my approach. That makes this recognition particularly special to me.”

Dame will be attending the Institute's flagship conference, Banking Professionalism 360, which takes place from 19 to 21 November 2026, where she will deliver a keynote speech and participate in an interactive Q&A on 27 October 2026 at 4:00pm GMT, at BMA House, London. The conference is being held in London and on the web on 27 and 28 October 2026 with the theme ‘Professionalism and Trust in a Changing World'.