Newcastle Building Society sees record turnout at AGM

Newcastle Building Society received resounding support from its members at its 2008 Annual General Meeting, after witnessing a record turnout. The AGM, held at Newcastle United's Football Ground, on 29th April, saw an attendance of over 300 members - doubling the total turnout seen at 2007's AGM.

All resolutions were carried with large majorities leading to the re-election of two directors and the election of three directors appointed during the year.

The Society also took the opportunity to address environmental concerns and is leading the way for other Societies in their efforts to ‘go green'. In a bid to save paper, ten pence was donated to charity for each online vote, which accounted for 14 percent of total votes received.

Newcastle is one of the first building societies to offer its AGM pack via email instead of by post, with 7,000 members signed up so far, helping towards raising over £1,000 for the Community Foundation which serves to help local charities.

Colin Seccombe, chief executive of Newcastle Building Society, commented: "We are very pleased that our members are continuing to show their support for the Society and are delighted that 2008's AGM saw such a fantastic turnout. It is remarkable to think back to the Society's Annual General Meetings a number of years ago which attracted dozens, rather than hundreds, of members and we welcome the increased interest in our affairs. However we have now reached a point where the fantastic turnout demands a much greater venue - notably the city's football stadium!

"The Society is also committed to ‘going green' and we are proud that our members have raised £1,000 for local charities via simple yet effective measures which include subscribing to AGM email packs as well as voting online."