NS&I picks veteran employee as new chief executive

Dax Harkins has worked at the Premium Bonds organisation since November 2003
Dax Harkins. Photo: NS&I

By Tevye Markson

13 Apr 2023

The Treasury has appointed Dax Harkins as the new chief executive of National Savings and Investments.

Harkins has worked for the organisation for almost 20 years, joining in 2003, and has been the acting chief exec since March.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has appointed him to the role on a permanent basis following an open recruitment process which was launched after Ian Ackerley – who had spent six years in the role – retired.

Harkins said: “NS&I has both a proud history, and an exciting future, and I’m honoured to be appointed as chief executive of such a special organisation. Having worked in a range of roles across the organisation, I know that everyone here is completely committed to ensuring NS&I retains its special place helping the nation to save.

“I’m very excited to be leading NS&I as we transform our business, ensuring we continue to provide the products and services our customers want, while helping provide vital funding to government.”

The Premium Bonds operator, which is formally a government department and an executive agency of the chancellor of the Exchequer, offered up to £195,000-a-year plus a performance-related bonus to the successful candidate.

Harkins has 30 years of experience in financial services – in a breadth of fields including sales, product development, customer management, customer experience, and outsourcing.

The Treasury said Harkins’s “deep understanding of the sector made him the standout candidate in the selection process”.

Andrew Griffith, economic secretary to the Treasury, added: “Millions of Brits save with NS&I because it is safe, simple and offers great returns, while helping lend funds to the Government to deliver vital public services such as policing, healthcare, and schools.

“This is a huge responsibility, and I wish Dax Harkins and the NS&I team well. I look forward to working with them to help the nation to save.”

Prior to being appointed as acting NS&I chief exec in March, Harkins was responsible for the development and delivery of NS&I’s business-to-business strategy, as well as overseeing and assuring NS&I’s operational performance.

A joint honours degree graduate of the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology, Harkins started his career in sales and marketing roles and joined NS&I in November 2003.

In 2011, he became programme director for the retender of the NS&I outsourcing contract. He was appointed to the board in 2014 as business-to-business director and became an Institute of Directors-accredited chartered director in 2018.

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