Nick Swales DL

(Date first appointed: 2024)

Since moving to Tyne & Wear to study a BA in Politics and Economics at Newcastle University, Nick has had a 37-year career in finance, advising individuals, charities and institutions. He retired from his role as head of the Newcastle office of Rathbones Group Plc at the end of April 2024 although he will return to the firm from time to time to conduct training for the next generation of financial professionals.

Allied to his work in finance and early on in his career Nick held voluntary positions as The North East President of the Bankers Institute and North East President of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI) for several years. He was then invited to serve on the main CISI Board, which he did for 12 years until October 2021. Nick now Chairs the CISI Future Foundation which was established in 2022 and provides grants to organisations across the country tackling financial literacy issues mainly affecting disadvantaged young people. 

 

Other, regionally based voluntary positions have included being past Chair of the Percy Hedley Foundation. Nick had an association with the Foundation and its predecessors for over 27 years until he stepped down in 2017. Currently, as well as being the CISI Foundation Chair, Nick is the Chair of the Newcastle Theatre Royal Trust. 

 

As well as being a Council Member of Newcastle University, Nick is currently the Chair of the University’s Retirement Benefit Fund, Deputy Chair of the University’s Development Trust and a member of the University’s Campaign Board.

 

Nick was awarded an Honorary Fellowship of Newcastle University in 2017, appointed Deputy Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear in May 2020, awarded an Honorary Fellowship of the CISI in 2022 and was appointed OBE, in the King’s Birthday Honours 2024, for services to the community of Tyne and Wear.