Birmingham Midshires Executives to Share Personal Phone Numbers with Customers

Birmingham Midshires, a leading building society, has announced that its executives will be publishing their personal phone numbers in the organization's next annual report, in a bid to increase transparency and improve customer service. However, the move has been met with skepticism by Save Our Building Societies (SOBS), a pressure group opposed to the society's proposed takeover by the Royal Bank of Scotland. The move comes amidst growing disquiet over the value of the Royal Bank deal, with some estimates suggesting the society's true value is around $1 billion, compared to the $630 million takeover price.

Key Takeaways:

• The executives of Birmingham Midshires, including the chairman and eight-strong executive team, will publish their home phone numbers in the organization's next annual report.
• The move is intended to increase transparency and improve customer service, with the society's head of corporate affairs, Tony McGarahan, stating that it is "evolutionary, not revolutionary."
• The society has already taken a similar step last year by publishing executive directors' home telephone numbers in the financial statement, with around 20 calls being received by chief executive Mike Jackson.
• Save Our Building Societies (SOBS) campaign co-ordinator, Bob Goodall, has dismissed the initiative as a "public relations exercise" aimed at addressing growing disquiet over the Royal Bank deal.
• The society is to embark on a $3 million TV advertising campaign to promote the move and increase public awareness of the takeover.
• The Royal Bank deal has been criticized by campaigners for being a "bargain basement, knock-down price," with some estimates suggesting the society's true value is around $1 billion.

Statistics:

• $630 million: The proposed takeover price of the Royal Bank of Scotland.
• $1 billion: Estimated value of Birmingham Midshires, according to some activists.
• $3 million: The cost of a TV advertising campaign being undertaken by the society to promote the move.
• 20: The number of calls received by Birmingham Midshires chief executive Mike Jackson in response to publishing his home phone number last year.
• 1.2 million: The number of customers set to receive the society's annual report and executive phone numbers.

Sources:

• [Save Our Building Societies (SOBS)]
• [The Birmingham Midshires Building Society]
• [Bob Goodall, SOBS campaign co-ordinator]
• [Lee Smith, spokesman for Birmingham Midshires]
• [Tony McGarahan, head of corporate affairs, Birmingham Midshires]