Angry Leeds saver runs for the board

A SAVER with the Leeds Permanent Building Society, who is disgusted by the pounds 200,000 salary of its chief executive, Mike Blackburn, is challenging the existing directors for election to the board.

Jim French, a retired journalist from Streatham, south London, is seeking nominations from other saving members of the Leeds. He is also chairman of the Building Societies' Members' Association, a ginger group.

He complains that societies' pursuit of profit has been at the expense of their members.

Mr French, who has twice failed to get on to the Leeds board, said: 'Societies used to make borrowers and lenders content. Now by their greed, they have succeeded in making tens of thousands miserable and broke.'

The result of another independent challenge to a building society board will be known on Thursday at the annual meeting of the Nationwide, where the Rev Vivien Singh is standing.