Board matters

1.1 The Board is the main decision-making body of Nationwide and is responsible for governing the Society. It has overall responsibility for the business and affairs of Nationwide, the establishment of its strategy and oversight of its risk management.

1.2 The purpose of the Board is to set the strategic direction of Nationwide and is the ultimate decision-making body for all strategic, financial, regulatory or reputational matters.

2.1 The Board is responsible for directing, controlling and managing the business and the conduct of affairs of Nationwide and, in doing so, may exercise all the powers of the Society, subject to any relevant laws and regulations and to the Society’s Memorandum and Rules.

2.2 The Board may sub-delegate any or all its powers and authority as it sees fit, including, without limitation, the establishment of sub-committees to analyse particular issues and to report back to the Board.

2.3 The Board has authority to oversee any investigation of activities relating to Nationwide which are within its Terms of Reference.

2.4 The Board is authorised to seek any information it requires from any employee of the Society in order to perform its duties or call on any employee to be questioned at a meeting of the Committee Board as and when required.

2.5 The Board may obtain, at the Society’s expense, external and independent legal or other professional advice on any matter within its Terms of Reference and / or Matters Reserved for the Board.

3.1 Non-executive Directors of the Board shall be appointed by the Board, on the recommendation of the Nomination and Governance Committee and shall be subject to election and annual re-election by the Society’s members. The majority of Board members shall be independent Non-Executive Directors.

3.2 Executive Directors of the Board shall be appointed by the Board and shall be subject to election and annual re-election by the Society’s members.

3.3 The Board shall appoint the Society Chairman. At the time of appointment as Society Chairman, the director concerned shall be an independent Non-executive Director.

3.4 In the absence of the Society Chairman and / or an appointed deputy, the remaining members present shall elect one of themselves to chair the meeting.

3.5 The Society’s members have the right to nominate candidates for election to the Board.

3.6 Appointments to the Board shall be for a period of up to nine years, provided the director still meets the criteria for membership and is re-elected by the Society’s members.

3.7 Only members of the Board have the right to attend Board meetings. Non-members may be invited to attend meetings at the Society Chairman’s discretion.

4.1 The Society Secretary or their nominee shall act as the Board Secretary and will ensure that the Board receives information and papers in a timely manner to enable full and proper consideration to be given to the issues.

5.1 The quorum necessary for the transaction of business shall be five members, of which the majority should be Non-Executive Directors.

5.2 A duly convened meeting of the Board at which a quorum is present shall be competent to exercise all or any of the authorities, powers and discretions vested in or exercisable by the Board.

5.3 A decision of the Board may be taken by written resolution including electronic means. A decision in this instance will be valid only if taken by a quorum as set out in 5.1 above. 

5.4 The members of the Board shall be deemed to meet together if they are in separate locations, but are linked by conference telephone, video or other communication equipment.  For the avoidance of doubt, a quorum in that event shall be as set out in 5.1 above. Such a meeting shall be deemed to take place where the largest group of members of the Board participating is assembled or, if there is no such group, where the Chair of the meeting is located. 

6.1 The Board shall meet at least ten times per annum, at appropriate times in the financial reporting and strategic cycle, and otherwise as required.

6.2 Outside of the formal meeting programme, all Non-Executive Directors will maintain a dialogue with key individuals involved in Nationwide’s governance, such as members of the Executive Committee.

7.1 Meetings of the Board shall be called by the Board Secretary at the request of the Society Chairman.

7.2 Meetings of the Board shall be called by the Board Secretary at the request of any of its members if they consider it necessary.

7.3 Unless otherwise agreed, notice of each meeting confirming the venue, time and date together with an agenda of items to be discussed, shall be forwarded to each member of the Board and any other person required to attend, no later than three working days before the date of the meeting.

7.4 Supporting papers shall be sent to the Board members and to other attendees as appropriate, at the same time.

8.1 The Board Secretary shall minute the proceedings and resolutions of all meetings of the Committee.

8.2 The Board Secretary shall record any conflicts of interest reported at the meeting.

8.3 Draft minutes of Board meetings shall be circulated to the Society Chairman and, once agreed, to all members of the Board (unless, in the opinion of the Society Chairman it would be inappropriate to do so).

9.1 The principal functions of the Board are set out below and a formal schedule of matters reserved to the Board is in place.

9.2 The principal functions of the Board are to:

9.2.1 Determine the strategy and policies of Nationwide to ensure its long-term success, reviewing delivery of the strategy and measure performance against Plan;

9.2.2 Set out the guidelines within which the business is responsibly managed;

9.2.3 Review business performance in the Society and significant Nationwide subsidiaries;

9.2.4 Determine the nature and extent of significant risks; and

9.2.5 Ensure judgements and decisions are taken with due regard to the creation or increase in conduct risks, taking proactive steps to avoid or prevent these where possible.

9.3 The Board has a general duty to ensure that Nationwide operates within The Society’s Memorandum and Rules (as amended from time to time); rules and guidance issued by competent regulatory authorities; and all applicable laws.

10.1 All Directors are responsible for and bound by the decisions taken by the Board whether or not they actively supported or participated in the decisions although dissent can be recorded.

10.2 A Director who is a Senior Management Function (SMF) Holder under the Senior Manager and Certification Regime (SMCR) remains individually accountable for their contributions to collective decisions and their implementation insofar as those contributions are in scope of their Senior Manager responsibilities and therefore they also remain accountable for taking reasonable steps in respect of their function and allocated responsibilities.

11.1 Members of the Board shall attend the Annual General Meeting, prepared to respond to any questions on the Board’s activities. As a minimum, where all members cannot attend, the Society Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer and one further Board member will attend.

The Board shall:

12.1 give due consideration to applicable laws and regulations, including the PRA and FCA’s Principles and Rules, the FCA’s Consumer Duty, the UK Listing Authority’s Listing Rules and Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, the Building Societies Act 1986 and to the recommendations of the UK Corporate Governance Code, as appropriate;

12.2 be cognisant of the conduct risks arising (or increasing) as a result of their judgements (including the impact on good member outcomes) taking proactive steps to avoid or prevent these where possible and avoid any foreseeable harm to members;

12.3 work and liaise as necessary with all Board Committees as required including receiving regular updates on the activities of all Board Committees;

12.4 have access to sufficient resources in order to carry out its duties, including access to Nationwide’s Secretariat for assistance as required;

12.5 receive appropriate and timely training relevant to its activities, both in the form of induction training for new members and on an ongoing basis for all members; and

12.6 at least once a year, to review its own performance, constitution and Terms of Reference to ensure it is operating effectively and in line with PRA and FCA requirements and report the results of this review and recommend any changes necessary to the Board for approval.

For the purposes of these Terms of Reference, “the Society” shall mean Nationwide Building Society; “Nationwide” shall mean Nationwide Building Society and its subsidiaries and “Board Committee” shall mean committees of the Board of the Society

1.1 Responsibility for the overall direction, control and management of Nationwide and setting its values and standards ensuring it remains a trusted and sustainable business.

1.2 Responsibility for the adoption and development of Nationwide’s culture as a mutual organisation.

1.3 Approval of Nationwide’s long term objectives and commercial strategy, which should be designed to achieve long-term success, including the society plan.

1.4 Approval of Nationwide’s annual operating and expenditure budgets.

1.5 Approval of Nationwide’s annual assessment of good member outcomes.

1.6 Oversight of Nationwide’s operations ensuring:

• competent and prudent management
• sound planning and risk management
• an adequate system of internal control
• adequate accounting and other records
• compliance with statutory and regulatory obligations
• adequate financial resources
• fair outcomes for members and customers, communities, society, the environment and suppliers.

1.7 Review of performance in the light of Nationwide’s strategy, objectives, business plans and budgets and ensuring that any necessary corrective action is taken, including review of the business performance pack.

1.8 Any extension of Nationwide’s activities into new business or new geographic areas.

1.9 Any decision to cease to operate all or any part of Nationwide’s business which would have a major impact on Nationwide.

2.1 All issues or redemptions of Core Capital Deferred Shares, except that the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer may approve the (potential and actual) issuance of any Core Capital Deferred Shares that are (or may be) required to be issued upon conversion, in accordance with the terms thereof, of any additional tier 1 (or equivalent) capital instruments the issuance of which is approved by the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer in accordance with paragraph 2.2 below.

2.2 All issues or redemptions of other capital instruments and any other changes to Nationwide’s capital structure (“Capital Transactions”), except that (subject to paragraph 2.1 above) the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer may approve:

(a) any Capital Transaction(s) which the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer determines in good faith will which result in a net change of less than 10% in Nationwide’s total capital resources calculated as follows:

Net Change = (Capital Resources Delta)/Total Capital Resources

where:

(i) “Capital Resources Delta” = the sum total notional amount of all capital issuances over the prior 6 months minus the sum total notional amount of all capital redemptions over the prior 6 months; and

(ii) “Total Capital Resources” = Nationwide’s total capital resources (Members' Interests and Equity or equivalent) as documented in the then most recent monthly management accounts; and.

(b) any Capital Transaction(s) which are included in the Society Plan (as approved by the Board and then in effect) and which the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer determines in good faith will do not breach any Board risk appetite trigger.

Capital Transactions which are included in the Society Plan shall not be included in the calculation of Capital Resources Delta for the purposes of any net change calculation made pursuant to paragraph 2.2(a) above.

2.3 If the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer determines in good faith that any wholly new form of wholesale funding or capital instruments with characteristics materially different from those previously approved by the Board may be issued by Nationwide, then they shall refer to the Board for approval of the principles of such wholly new form of wholesale funding or capital instrument. If any sub-delegate of the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer considers this may be relevant then they should refer to the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer, whose determination shall be final.

2.4 As used in this section 2 (Structure, Capital and Funding), “capital” refers to the Society’s regulatory capital (including its tier 1 and tier 2 own funds instruments), and “funding” refers to any other secured or unsecured financing of the Society (including its senior non-preferred MREL instruments).

2.5 Changes to Nationwide’s corporate structure including any merger or creation, acquisition or disposal of any subsidiary or associated company, or of any significant business operation, or any other initiative which has significant strategic implications for Nationwide, including when the Society is invited to rescue another building society or other financial institution by way of merger or acquisition.

2.6 Any acquisition, disposal or securitisation of trading assets or liabilities with a gross book value in excess of £1billion or where there is an unbudgeted loss arising in excess of £50 million.

2.7 The acquisition or disposal of any individual non-trading asset, including freehold or leasehold property, with a gross book value in excess of £50 million or where there is an unbudgeted loss arising in excess of £25 million.

2.8 The above paragraphs (2.6 and 2.7) exclude all dealings in any trading assets as duly authorised by Board delegated authorities or under other Board Committees’ terms of reference.

2.9 Changes to Nationwide’s management and control structure unless separately approved by the Audit Committee or Board Risk Committee under their terms of reference.

2.10 Any change to the Society's mutual status.

2.11 Any utilisation of central bank emergency liquidity support such as the Discount Window Facility.

3.1 The Board has delegated final approval of preliminary announcements of the Society’s half-year and full-year financial results (including any related media communications) to the Results Approval Committee, subject to the Board having previously reviewed and approved them in principle.

3.2 The Board has delegated approval of the payment of distributions and/or interest (whether in respect of the Society’s listed securities or otherwise) to the Results Approval Committee, subject tothe Board having previously reviewed and authorised the Committee to approve such payment.

3.3 Approval of the distribution policy for periodic investment returns on Core Capital Deferred Shares.

3.4 Approval of the policy for discretionary reward distributions to Society Members (Member Reward Distributions Policy).

3.5 Approval of member eligibility criteria and declaration of distributions to be made under the Member Reward Distributions Policy.

3.6 Approval of the Annual Report and Accounts including the corporate governance statement and remuneration report, on recommendation from the Audit Committee.

4.1 Approval of Nationwide’s risk appetite.

4.2 Ensuring maintenance of a sound system of internal control and risk management including:

• receiving reports on, and reviewing the effectiveness of, Nationwide’s risk and control processes to support its strategy and objectives;
• undertaking at least an annual assessment of these processes; and
• approving an appropriate statement for inclusion in the annual report and accounts.

4.3 The Board may delegate certain responsibilities for approval of other aspects of risk management to the Board Risk Committee. Delegations of authority to the Board Risk Committee are set out in the Board Risk Committee terms of reference which is approved annually by the Board.

4.4 The Board has delegated approval of the Pillar 3 disclosure requirements for the FCA to the Chief Financial Officer (or their nominated deputy).

4.5 The Board Risk Committee will advise the Board on risk matters and highlight significant risks identified through the Society’s risk reporting framework for discussion and if appropriate, approval.

5.1 Projects which in aggregate involve project spend in excess of £50 million over the life of the project. Project spend shall include, but not be limited to, third party supplier contract expenditure as well as internal spend and internal resource costs.

5.2 Contracts with third parties which involve total life of contract spend in excess of £150 million which are not included within the Board approved Plan.

5.3 Entering into individual or inter-related leases or tenancies where the annual rent exceeds £5 million, or disposal of surplus leasehold premises with an annual rental value in excess of £5 million.

6.1 Approval of recommendations from the Executive Committee for:

• lending proposals in excess of the Executive Committee’s lending mandate;
• borrowing propositions which, in the opinion of the Executive Committee, fall outside the Society's normal business; and
• acquisition of external loan portfolios in excess of the Executive Committee’s mandate

6.2 Approval of Treasury Counterparty exposures in excess of the Executive Committee’s mandate.

7.1 Approval of resolutions and corresponding documentation to be put forward to members at a general meeting, including proposals for amendments to the Society's Memorandum and Rules.

7.2 Approval of communications that are material to Nationwide including all circulars, prospectuses and listing particulars.

7.3 The Board has delegated authority to: (i) identify, and determine the need for disclosure of, inside information; (ii) (other than in respect of an announcement of a routine nature or that has otherwise been considered and approved by the Board) approve the content and form of any announcement in relation to inside information; and (iii) disclose inside information to the market in a timely, accurate and full manner in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations, to the Disclosure Committee.

8.1 Changes to the structure, size and composition of the Board, following recommendations from the Nomination and Governance Committee.

8.2 Ensuring adequate succession planning for the Board and Senior Management following recommendations from the Nomination and Governance Committee, including any changes to the Board Composition and Succession Policy.

8.3 Appointments and removals to the Board, following recommendations by the Nomination and Governance Committee, including the appointment of the Society Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the Senior Independent Director and the selection of members and Chairs of Board Committees.

8.4 Continuation in office of directors, including:

• at the end of their term of office when they are due to be re-elected by members at the Annual General Meeting; and
• the suspension or termination of service of an Executive Director as an employee of Nationwide, subject to the law and their service contract.

8.5 Appointment or removal of the Chief Risk Officer and the Society Secretary.

8.6 Appointment, reappointment or removal of the External Auditor to be put to member for approval, following a recommendation from the Audit Committee.

9.1 Determining the remuneration policy for the Executive Directors and other Senior Executives subject to the Memorandum and Rules and any member approval as appropriate. The remuneration of Non-Executive Directors shall be a matter for the Society Chairman and the Executive Directors of the Board.

9.2 Determining whether the circumstances are such that the Society's members should be invited at the Annual General Meeting to approve the Remuneration Policy.

9.3 Approving the introduction of new incentive plans for Executive Directors, Executive Committee members or any other senior managers or significant changes to existing plans subject to any member approval as appropriate.

10.1 Approval of the division of responsibilities between the Society Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer and the Senior Independent Director, which should be in writing.

10.2 Approval of terms of reference of Board Committees including any delegation of authority to those committees.

10.3 Approval of Additional Job Information statements for each of the Society Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Senior Independent Director, Board Committee Chairs and for Non-Executive Directors.

10.4 Receiving minutes and/or reports from the Board committees and the Chief Executive Officer on their activities.

10.5 Review of Nationwide’s corporate governance arrangements.

10.6 Undertaking a formal and rigorous review annually of its own performance, that of its committees and individual directors and the division of responsibilities.

10.7 Determining the independence of Non-Executive Directors, including reviewing and, if appropriate, approving the Directors Register of Interests.

10.8 Considering the balance of interests between members, other customers, employees, the community and other stakeholders.

10.9 Receiving reports on the views of the Society’s members and employees.

11.1 Reviewing the adequacy and security of arrangements for employees and contractors to raise concerns, in confidence, about possible wrongdoing in financial reporting or other matters. The Board shall ensure that these arrangements allow proportionate and independent investigation of such matters and appropriate follow up action.

12.1 Approve the direction of recovery actions deployed in response to breaches of R4 recovery indictors.

12.2 In the event of Recovery and Resolution, approval of any decision to commence Resolution activity and convene the Board Contingency Planning Committee once R4 recovery indicators have breached or as indicated via regulatory engagements.

13.1 Reviewing and noting the latest valuation of the Society taking into consideration the overall market and economic environment.

13.2 Reviewing and approving the overall defence planning strategy, possible scenarios and potential responses, including reviewing and agreeing the state of alert in relation to either a member / activist supported campaign for conversion, a hostile takeover and / or the overall environment.

13.3 Reviewing the ongoing appropriateness and robustness of the Society’s charitable assignment scheme.

14.1 Approval of political donations.

14.2 Approval of the prosecution, defence or settlement of litigation or alternative dispute resolution mechanism involving sums above £25 million or which would have a Major impact on Nationwide.

14.3 Approval of the overall levels of insurance for Nationwide including Directors’ & Officers' liability insurance.

14.4 Approval of any significant changes to the rules of Nationwide’s pension scheme.

14.5 Approval of this schedule of matters reserved for Board decisions and the Board Terms of Reference.