TV and radio personality Bill Turnbull entertained members of the Ipswich Building Society who turned out in record numbers for the organisation’s annual general meeting.

East Anglian Daily Times: Ipswich Buildiing Society trainee customer experience team leader Charleigh Gardiner with her certficate as winner of the David Coe Award for outstanding customer service. Picture: James Fletcher PhotographyIpswich Buildiing Society trainee customer experience team leader Charleigh Gardiner with her certficate as winner of the David Coe Award for outstanding customer service. Picture: James Fletcher Photography (Image: Archant)

The former BBC Breakfast presenter give a behind-the-scenes account of his career in television journalism, together with references to his relocation to Suffolk – he now lives near Saxmundham – and his hobby of bee keeping.

During the formal part of the meeting, chairman Sarah Evans and chief executive Richard Norrington highlighted key features of a successful year for the society and outlined some of its future plans, including the relocation of its Woodbridge branch and its town centre branch in Ipswich.

All motions before the meeting were approved by substantial majorities, including the election to the board of Mr Norrington, who succeeded Paul Winter as the society’s chief executive in December.

Also elected for the first time was Steve Reid, who was appointed as a non-executive director last November, and Alan Harris was re-elected as a non-executive.

East Anglian Daily Times: Ipswich Building Society chairman Sarah Evans and chief executive Richard Norrington with guest speaker Bill Turnbull, centre, before the society's Annual General Meeting at Trinity Park, Ipswich. Picture: James Fletcher PhotographyIpswich Building Society chairman Sarah Evans and chief executive Richard Norrington with guest speaker Bill Turnbull, centre, before the society's Annual General Meeting at Trinity Park, Ipswich. Picture: James Fletcher Photography (Image: Archant)

The AGM marked the retirement from the board of Derek Bowden, a non-executive director of the society since 2006 and deputy chairman since 2011.

The evening also saw the presentation of the society’s annual David Coe Award for outstanding customers service to Charleigh Gardiner, trainee customer experience team leader.