NEW NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS OF THE STUDENT LOANS COMPANY

2 Aug 2002 12:39 PM

Minister for Lifelong Learning and Higher Education, Margaret Hodge today announced the appointment of Jean Tomlin, Angela McCusker and Tanvi Davda as new non-executive directors of the Student Loans Company. Two of the appointments replace outgoing non-executive directors, Maurice Paterson and Paul Grace, whose terms come to an end this month. The third appointment is a new post.

The appointments are made jointly with Iain Gray, the Scottish Executive Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning.

Jean Tomlin has worked in HR at Ford of Dagenham, the Prudential, as HR Director of Egg plc and is now working for CSG. Currently, she is also a board member of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) and a Deputy Commissioner for Judicial Appointments.

Angela McCusker has had a career as finance director and controller in the sportswear industry, most recently as Finance Director of Ellesse International Limited and Ellesse UK Limited.

Tanvi Davda works for ABN Ambro on advanced financial products and previously worked for IBM UK as a consultant on their international banking side. She also has e- commerce experience with ABN Ambro.

Mrs Hodge said: "I am very pleased to be able to make these appointments. The new non-executive directors bring a range of experience from the business and financial sectors to the SLC. I am confident that they will be able to provide strategic advice and guidance to the Company in meeting the challenges that lie ahead, in particular in the modernisation of the student support system. "

Iain Gray said:

"The new executive directors will play a key role in ensuring that the Student Loans Company continues to provide a high standard of service to students in Scotland and throughout the UK. These appointments help ensure the company is properly equipped for the challenges of the next few years."

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. The Student Loans Company is a Non-Departmental Public body accountable to United Kingdom, Scottish and Northern Ireland Ministers. Its Board is made up of the Chairman, Executive and Non-executive Directors.

2. The main functions of the Company are to administer the student loans scheme for the Government and on behalf of the private sector purchasers of the student loan debt sales, and to pay public tuition fee contributions to higher education institutions. The SLC will be a key partner in developing a modernised student support system, which will include the provision of services through electronic channels.

3. Jean Tomlin, Tanvi Davda and Angela McCusker have been appointed for three years.

4. None of the new appointees have been involved in any political activity in the last five years. The non-executive directors attend monthly board meetings and participate in committees of the Board. They receive an annual fee of £5,000 a year.

5. Jean Tomlin's board membership of the QCA is by ministerial appointment, for which there is no remuneration. She is a Deputy Commissioner for Judicial Appointments by crown appointment and receives £300 a day for each day's work on Commission business.

PRESS ENQUIRIES: Ben Novick 020 7925 5373
benjamin.novick@dfes.gsi.gov.uk

PUBLIC ENQUIRIES: 0870 000 2288 info@dfes.gsi.gov.uk

NEWSDESK: 020 7925 6789 newsdesk@dfes.gsi.gov.uk
OUT OF HOURS MEDIA CALLS: 07659 105 993

INTERNET ADDRESS : www.dfes.gov.uk

If you would like to receive email notification of new press notices in the subjects of your choice, please click on 'register' on our site: www.dfes.gov.uk, 'Latest News'.