APPOINTMENTS TO THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD

7 Aug 2002 12:39 PM

Two new appointments to the Industrial Development Advisory Board (IDAB) were announced today by Patricia Hewitt, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

Mr Peter Allen (Chief Financial Officer, Celltech Group plc) has been appointed to serve three years from 1 July 2002 to 30 June 2005.

Ms Bridget Blow (Chief Executive, ITNET plc) has been appointed to serve three years from 1 October 2002 to 30 September 2005.

In addition, Lord Swraj Paul, Chairman, Caparo Group Ltd, and Mr Robert Swannell, Co-Chairman, Schroder Salomon Smith Barney, were both reappointed for a second term of three years from 1 October 2002 until 30 September 2005.

Notes for Editors

1. IDAB is a statutory body set up under section 10 of the Industrial Development Act 1982. Its main function is to provide independent advice to Ministers on larger applications for Regional Selective Assistance. Members of IDAB are drawn from industry, banking and accountancy. Appointments are part time and unpaid. The Board reports to Parliament in the Industrial Development Act 1982 Annual Report. Members are appointed in line with the recommendations of the Commissioner for Public Appointments. None of the appointees has undertaken any political activity in the last in the last five years.

2. Peter Allen is the Chief Financial Officer of Celltech Group plc and has held that role since 1992. A chartered accountant by background, he was previously Group Financial Controller of Associated British Port Holdings plc.

3. Bridget Blow is the Chief Executive of ITNET plc. She joined the company in 1992 and in 1995 she successfully led a management and employee buyout (MEBO) from ITNET's former parent company, Cadbury Schweppes plc. Following rapid growth, she achieved the next stage of development for the company with the flotation on the London Stock Exchange in June 1998. Bridget is also a Non-executive Director of the Bank of England and is a member of the CBI
Education and Training Affairs Committee.

4. Lord Swraj Paul is the Chairman of Caparo Group Ltd, which he founded. The group specialise in the manufacture and supply of steel and engineering products for industrial use. Lord Paul was raised to the peerage as Baron Paul of Marylebone in 1996. He is a Board Member of the London Development Agency, the Chancellor of the University of Wolverhampton, and patron of a number of charitable associations. Lord Paul was first appointed as a member of IDAB for three years from 1 October 1999.

5. Robert Swannell is Co-Chairman of Schroder Salomon Smith Barney. He joined Schroders in 1977 and was appointed a Director of the bank in 1985. He became Vice Chairman of the bank in 1997. Mr Swannell is also a non-executive Director of the British Land Company plc and a member of the FSA Regulatory Decisions Committee. He was first appointed as a member of IDAB for three years from 1 October 1999.

6. A list of current members.

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD

Sir Victor Blank
(Chairman)
Chairman, Trinity Mirror plc and Chairman, GUS plc

Peter Allen
Chief Financial Officer,
Celltech Group plc

Michael Beverley
Retired, UK Regional Managing Partner,
Arthur Andersen

Mrs Bridget Blow (from 1/10/02)
Chief Executive, ITNET plc

Sir David Brown
Chairman, Motorola Ltd
Roger Carr
Chairman, Chubb plc

Miss Rosalind Hedley-Miller
Vice Chairman,
Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein

Steve Hollis
Senior Partner,
KPMG, Birmingham

Sir Michael Lickiss
Chairman,
South West of England Regional Development Agency

Gordon Page CBE
Chairman, Cobham plc

Lord Paul
Chairman, Caparo Group Ltd

Bryan Sanderson CBE
Chairman, Learning & Skills Council and Chairman, BUPA plc

Robert Swannell
Co-Chairman,
Schroder Salomon Smith Barney

The Hon Barbara Thomas
Chairman, Private Equity Investor plc
Chairman, Axon Group plc

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