New Chief Executive appointed to the Shareholder Executive

12 Oct 2006 01:15 PM

Martin Bryant, former Group Director of Business Development at Boots and Chief Operating Officer at BP Retail, has today been appointed as Chief Executive of the Shareholder Executive. Martin is currently Director of Strategy at the Home Office.

Martin will take over as Chief Executive from Richard Gillingwater who took on a new role as Chair of the Shareholder Executive in September. Martin will report to Richard and through him to the Cabinet Secretary, Sir Gus O'Donnell.

Martin's appointment was confirmed by the Prime Minister and Sir Gus O'Donnell.

Speaking on the appointment Sir Brian Bender, DTI Permanent Secretary, said:

"I am delighted that Martin Bryant is joining the Shareholder Executive. His experience at the highest levels in business and the Civil Service make him superbly placed to lead the Shareholder Executive in the next phase of its development."

Sir Gus O'Donnell, said:

"The Shareholder Executive is an excellent example of the Civil Service reform agenda in action. Martin Bryant will bring professional skills in business development and general management to complement the Shareholder Executive's existing strengths in corporate finance, investment management and Whitehall delivery."

Martin Bryant said:

"I am very much looking forward to joining the Shareholder Executive and building on the excellent work already begun there to effect a permanent step change in government's performance as shareholder."

Notes to Editors:

1. Since September 2004 Martin Bryant has been Director of Strategy at the Home Office. Prior to that Martin spent two years acting as Interim Chief Operating Officer at BP Retail Ltd. From 1989 to 2002, Martin worked for The Boots Company Plc. As Director of Corporate Development he introduced shareholder value management techniques that initiated major changes to the company's business portfolio and performance. He developed his career in senior general management roles being successively Managing Director of Boots Opticians, Operations Director of Boots the Chemists and Managing Director of Boots Retail International. Martin is part-time non-executive chairman of Unilever Venture's Persil Services Ltd.

2. Martin Bryant will take up his new post on 20 November 2006.

3. The Shareholder Executive is a unique organisation within Government. Established three years ago it:

* manages the Government's shareholder relationship with over 27 major Government-owned businesses such as the Royal Mail, BNFL, Channel 4, NATS and the Royal Mint - a portfolio of businesses with a combined turnover of some £20 billion;
* acts on the Government's behalf on issues relating to businesses that are not under Government ownership, for example on industrial and regional development, and launch investment;
* advises Ministers and Government departments generally on corporate finance and other business issues.

4. The Shareholder Executive is located in the Department of Trade and Industry and works in close partnership with DTI, Treasury, MOD, Cabinet Office and other Government Departments.

5. The appointment was made in accordance with the Office of the Civil Service Commissioners' Code of Practice.

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