Joe Garner

Joe Garner is a top-tier business leader who has led some of the UK’s most recognisable financial and telecommunications organisations. As Chief Executive of Nationwide Building Society, he navigated the organisation through Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining its customer-first approach while driving digital transformation. Before this, he was CEO of Openreach, key in expanding superfast broadband access across the UK. Joe's career began at Procter & Gamble, followed by leadership roles at HSBC, where he guided the UK retail division through the financial crisis of 2008. He has served on industry boards, advised government bodies, and chaired regulatory panels, influencing key financial and infrastructure policies. In 2023, he was commissioned by the Chancellor to lead a review into the future of payments, with the government committing to his key recommendations. He also serves on the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee. Beyond the corporate world, Joe passionately advocates for leadership with humanity, mental and physical well-being, and ethical decision-making in business. He is a Patron of British Triathlon, a GB age-group competitor, and Chair of the charity Tennis First. His recently published book "52 Hard Learned Lessons for Leaders" shares lessons from a career spent balancing purpose with commercial success. An engaging and thoughtful speaker, Joe brings deep experience from leading complex organisations through change, offering insight into purpose-driven leadership, resilience, and strategy.