Foresight Group Holdings Regulatory News (FSG)

24 Jun 2009 07:00



Focus Solutions Group plc

("Focus", "Focus Solutions" or the "Group")

Board Appointment

Focus Solutions Group plc (AIM: FSG.L), an established supplier of enterprise solutions to the financial services industry, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ronald Whatford ("Ron") (aged 60) as a non-executive Director, effective from 24 June 2009.

Since the mid-1990s, Ron Whatford has held numerous senior executive roles across the Lloyds Banking Group, including Managing Director of Operations at Scottish Widows. Ron was most recently Chief Experience Officer and Managing Director of Store Services at Lloyds TSB whilst operating as a member of the Retail Board for the Group. He retired from these roles in 2007. 

Previous directorships include Chairman of the Bacs board from 2001 to 2003, where Ron oversaw the split of the organisation into Bacs Ltd (which became Voca Limited, the international payment transaction specialist) and Bacs Payment Schemes Limited and non-executive Director of Link from 2005 until its merger with Voca in 2007.

Alastair Taylor, Chairman, Focus Solutions Group plc, commented: "I am delighted to welcome Ron Whatford to the Board of Focus. Ron brings with him a wealth of experience of the retail banking industry which will be of great value in driving forward our new focus:enterprise service. Ron's strong skill set and insight will help us shape our unique proposition which assists the largest global retail banks with achieving an aggregated data client hub."

On his appointment, Ron Whatford added: "Focus has an excellent range of products and services which are extremely relevant to the market challenges financial services organisations are facing at the moment. I am excited about joining the organisation and in particular helping to develop the market for focus:enterprise, which I believe the retail banking sector is crying out for in order to meet their regulatory and risk requirements."

The following information is disclosed pursuant to AIM Rule 17, Schedule 2(g):

Current Appointments: None

Previous Appointments:

Voca Limited 

Abbey Life Assurance Company Limited

Abbey Life Trust Securities Limited

Lloyds Bank Unit Trust Managers Limited

LloydsTSB Financial Services Limited

Scottish Widows Administration Services Limited

Scottish Widows Annuities Limited

Scottish Widows Financial Services Holdings

Scottish Widows Fund Management

Scottish Widows Group Limited

Scottish Widows plc

Scottish Widows Services Limited

Scottish Widows Trustees Limited

Scottish Widows Unit Trust Managers Limited

SW (No.6) Limited

Target Holdings Limited

TSB Financial Services Limited

TSB Investment Services Limited

Link interchange Network Limited

Dialcontact Limited

Gisborne Life Assurance Company limited

SW (No.4) Limited

TSB Life Limited

TSB Pensions Limited

SW (NO.2) Limited

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About Focus Solutions Group plc

Focus Solutions is an established and proven supplier of enterprise solutions to the financial services industry in the UK, Ireland and more recently across Europe.

Focus has delivered over 100 complex front office projects with multiple integration points and partners to a blue chip client base including 8 out of the top 10 UK Life & Pension providers, a number of leading bancassurers including the likes of HSBC and Irish Life, significant wealth management players such as St James's Place and a number of mortgage providers. The technology truly enables straight through processing whilst providing an engaging client and adviser experience to submit and service business electronically.

focus:360° is at the core of all client implementations providing a single, agile, multi-channel technology platform. Focus has brought together three key areas of expertise: software, consultancy and service delivery. This totally integrated approach means clients can distribute any product across any channel. At the same time they can maintain an enterprise-wide view of the customer value and risk. 

For further information on Focus, please visit www.focus-solutions.co.uk