Mercia Asset Regulatory News (MERC)

25 Mar 2008 10:41

Merchant Securities PLC25 March 2008 25 March 2008 Merchant Securities plc ("the Company") Board Change Merchant Securities plc, the institutional and retail client stockbrokingcompany specialising in corporate finance, retail client investment managementservices and institutional sales trading, announces the appointment to the Boardof Christopher Matthew Hyde, ACA, MSI (age 55) as Finance Director withimmediate effect. Chris replaces Stephen Whelton who has left the company topursue other career opportunities. Steve resigned from the company on 20 March2008. Chris is an London School of Economics graduate and chartered accountant havingqualified with Arthur Andersen in 1978. Chris has held senior positions infinance and operations throughout his career, most notably with Credit SuisseFirst Boston, Oppenheimer Group, Bank Brussels Lambert and as Head of Finance &Administration of the shareholder activist arm of Hermes Pensions Management.More recently, Chris has completed various assignments within financial servicesas an Interim Finance Director and/or Chief Operating Officer. Chris is member of Compliance, Operations and Risk professional forums of theSecurities and Investment Institute and is also an active participant in severalother City professional and financial services interest groups. Chris was a director of several UK companies within the Bank Brussels LambertGroup ("BBL"), which entered Members' Voluntary Liquidations as a consequence ofthe acquisition of BBL by the ING Group. Chris previously held directorshipswith UK and other subsidiaries of the USA based Oppenheimer & Co., Inc andOppenheimer Capital L.P. Groups; shortly after he resigned as a director some ofthese subsidiaries were re-structured following the acquisition of their USAparents by Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and the Pacific InvestmentManagement Company ("PIMCO") respectively. There is no other information that is required to be disclosed under Schedule 2paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules. Anthony Fabrizi, Chief Executive, Merchant Securities says: "We are delighted that Chris has agreed to join us and believe he will make animportant contribution to the business. Chris' experience will be vital as wecontinue to grow and develop the business." "On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Steve for his five years ofservice, and wish him every success in the future." ENDS For further information please contact: Anthony Fabrizi Chief Executive Merchant Securities plc 020 7375 9060 Roland Cross Director Broadgate 020 7726 6111 Richard Day Director 020 7398 1632 Arden Partners plc This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange