Lucy Winskell joined the Board in April 2026. Lucy served as Pro Vice‑Chancellor (Employability and Partnerships) at Northumbria University for 12 years until 2022, when she stepped down following her appointment as Lord Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear. In this role, she led the development of partnerships with local government and public bodies, helping to shape the University’s contribution to regional economic, cultural and social development, as well as graduate employability. She also played a key role in expanding Northumbria’s London campus and establishing its Amsterdam campus. She was awarded an honorary degree by the University in 2025.
Prior to joining Northumbria University, Lucy had a 28‑year career as a litigation lawyer. During this time, she gained extensive experience in professional regulation and membership organisations, serving on the Council of the Law Society of England and Wales, the Board of the Solicitors Regulation Authority, and as President of Newcastle Law Society. She also served as UK President of the Union Internationale des Avocats.
Lucy has significant non‑executive experience, including roles as Chair of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership and the North East Chamber of Commerce, and positions with North East Access to Finance, the British Chambers of Commerce, the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Arts and Humanities Research Council. She also previously served as a Non‑Executive Director of Darlington Building Society.
She is currently a Non‑Executive Commissioner at the Port of Blyth and Vice President of the Community Foundation North East and was awarded an OBE in 2014 for services to higher education and the regional economy in the North East.
“I am absolutely delighted to play a part in an organisation that is so focused on supporting the people and communities it serves. Having lived in the North East all my life, I have seen first-hand the enormous contribution Newcastle Building Society has made, and continues to make across the region.”