Nationwide Building Society is to introduce an online version of its TalkBack programme to members across the UK, with chief executive Philip Williamson hosting the first online chat.
TalkBack sessions are held throughout the country providing members with an informal opportunity for discussion and debate with directors and senior management. Over the last five years, Nationwide has held 55 such events with almost 3000 members taking the opportunity to put their views forward.
The first online member TalkBack event is due to take place on Tuesday 9 July, when Nationwide's chief executive Philip Williamson will answer questions from the society's members over the Internet. It is hoped this will be the first of many regular such events.
Granada Interactive has been selected by Nationwide to help the society deliver its first member-facing online discussion. The company already manages and maintains a number of online communities and live Web chats, including those for Granada programmes, such as Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Cold Feet, and for clients, such as for Liverpool FC's official Web site, Telewest Broadband and UKTV.
Philip Williamson, Nationwide's chief executive, says: "Over the last five years, our directors have been listening to our members' views at member TalkBack events around the UK and a number of policy, service and product developments have their origins in these meetings. We are delighted to be able to now extend the same opportunity to the increasing number of members who do business with us online."