Darren Mc Donald
About Darren Mc Donald
Darren McDonald serves as the Chief Product Owner at Nationwide Building Society, where he leads a team focused on delivering strategic and regulatory change. He has extensive experience in the financial services sector, holding various managerial roles and certifications in project and change management.
Current Role at Nationwide Building Society
Darren Mc Donald serves as the Chief Product Owner at Nationwide Building Society since 2019. In this role, he leads a team of Product Owners and change professionals. His responsibilities include delivering strategic and regulatory change roadmaps in collaboration with various product teams, including Banking, Savings, Cards, Loans, and General Insurance. This position emphasizes his leadership in driving product development and ensuring compliance with industry regulations.
Previous Experience at Nationwide Building Society
Darren Mc Donald has held multiple positions at Nationwide Building Society. He worked as a Senior Manager in Business Change from 2011 to 2012 and later served as Senior Manager Change & Implementation in Savings from 2013 to 2016. Additionally, he was involved in the Nationwide Build Practice for a brief period in 2012. His roles focused on managing change initiatives and implementing strategies to enhance operational efficiency.
Experience at Other Financial Institutions
Before his tenure at Nationwide Building Society, Darren Mc Donald worked at Lloyds Banking Group as Senior Manager for Lloyds TSB Support in Personal & Business Banking from 2000 to 2003. He also served as Regional Manager at Banco Santander for Oxford & High Wycombe from 2008 to 2011. These roles contributed to his extensive experience in the financial services sector, particularly in project management and operational leadership.
Education and Certifications
Darren Mc Donald studied at Shiplake College, where he achieved 'A' Levels in Economics, Maths, and Physics from 1984 to 1986. He holds several professional certifications, including APMG PRINCE 2 Practitioner, ChangeFirst PCI Practitioner, and APMG Change Management Practitioner. These qualifications support his expertise in project management and change management within the financial services industry.
Professional Skills and Expertise
Darren Mc Donald possesses a strong background in network operations, project management, sales and performance management, risk and compliance, and strategic business development. His experience includes influencing decision-making at the board level, showcasing his capability in high-stakes environments. His skills are particularly relevant to the financial services sector, where regulatory compliance and strategic initiatives are critical.