West.brom 6.15% Regulatory News (WBS)

5 Oct 2006 09:43

West Bromwich Building Society05 October 2006 THE WEST BROM WELCOMES ABOARD TOP BUSINESS PERFORMERS The West Bromwich Building Society is delighted to announce the appointment ofJohn Bywater and Huw Davies as new non-executive directors to the Society'sBoard following FSA authorisation, with effect from 5 October 2006. These appointments will enhance the Board's capacity to oversee the growingsuccess of the West Brom, the 8th biggest building society in the UK. John Bywater John Bywater, aged 59, is greatly admired for his strategic sense, relationshipmanagement skills and integrity, which have been prominent in the field oflarge-scale property development and management. Since 1998 John has been an Executive Director of Hammerson plc, one of thelargest property companies in Europe, and Managing Director of Hammerson UKProperties plc. In that time John has been part of the team leading a varietyof high-profile developments, including the acclaimed Bullring in Birmingham andthe award-winning Oracle in Reading, a retail and leisure complex that hasgained international praise for its accessibility, versatility and environmentalconsideration. With wide-ranging experience that also encompasses a present position asNon-Executive Director with Workspace Group plc, a company that invests in andleases affordable work units in London, John is renowned for a management andleadership style that brings the best out of people. A chartered surveyor by profession, John was formerly Managing Director ofBurton Property Trust, a subsidiary of the Burton Group, until taking up apartnership with Donaldsons from 1992 to 1998 where he was Head of Retail.Donaldsons is an independent firm of surveyors and property consultants,operating throughout Europe and provided John with an international perspectivethat is reflected in his imaginative business approach. Huw Davies Huw Davies, aged 49, possesses a span of knowledge and skills, which, togetherwith a fine pedigree in technical accounting and risk management, makes him anexcellent recruit to the West Brom Board. Currently Group Finance Director with Wates, one of the largest privately ownedconstruction services and development companies in the UK, Huw's business acumenand analytical insights have been evident throughout his professional career. Prior to joining Wates in 2004, Huw was employed by Midlands-basedhouse-builder, Taylor Woodrow, where he rose to the position of Head ofCorporate Finance. Huw's attributes were very much to the fore during asignificant period of change for the company following the acquisition of BryantGroup plc. Here, Huw's expertise in corporate finance and treasury experiencewere critical to the successful transition of the organisation and itssubsequent progress. In addition, Huw's coaching and motivational skills madehim a highly valued member of the company. Educated at Exeter University and Edinburgh Business School Huw was, from 1996to 1998, Senior Manager at KPMG, a leading provider of audit, tax and advisoryservices. This followed a period with the Government of Oman as, initially, anAdvisor on Financial Affairs. In welcoming John Bywater and Huw Davies to the Board, Brian Woods-Scawen,Chairman, West Bromwich Building Society, said: "Both John and Huw have anexcellent track record of achievement within the business community and Ibelieve they will be a tremendous asset to the powerful team we have assembledat the West Brom. They are excellent candidates with the experience andcommitment to carry out the significant duties and responsibilities required ofanyone wishing to make an impact as a non-executive with a business such as theWest Brom, which has delivered record results over the past decade and possessesambitious plans to boost its status as a major force within the world offinancial services." END For further information, please contact: Jim King, Communications Manager, West Bromwich Building Society Tel: 0870 220 7786 (Mobile: 07970 130 250) This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange