Fawcett has held the role of chief of HR at Skipton's mortgage servicing subsidiary Homeloan Management for the past five years.
Part of the society's executive committee, the newly created role of CHRO is a significant promotion for Skipton. In her new role, which she will start later this month, Fawcett will be responsible for defining the people strategy strand of the society's ongoing transformation programme.
A review of everything from processes and systems to products and customer service, this change process is designed to ensure Skipton is in the best possible shape to grasp the significant opportunities that lie ahead for its sector, post-credit crunch.
Skipton group chief executive David Cutter said: "Rachel will bring with her valuable experience in leading people through cultural and transformational change.
"I have often said I believe mutuals such as Skipton face a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, post-credit crunch, to meet the renewed public appetite for competition and choice in financial services.
"Our business transformation programme is designed to ensure we remain in a strong position to cater for this need and the CHRO role is essential to ensuring our people have the appropriate skills, support and reward to participate in this important process."
