Board of Directors
Kevin Dann - Chief Executive
Kevin was appointed as
Chief Executive of the Society in August 2008. Kevin spent his
early career in sales and marketing roles within the precious
metals and chemicals industry before moving into information
technology with software firms in Hampshire and Glasgow. After
this, he spent a number of years with Bell Lawrie, stockbrokers in
Edinburgh, before joining Alliance Trust PLC in Dundee as IT
Manager in 1994. In 1996 Kevin was appointed Managing Director of
Alliance Trust Savings (ATS), the retail savings subsidiary of
Alliance Trust providing PEPs, ISAs, Pensions and sharedealing
services to private investors. Whilst there he focused on the
development and growth of ATS until 2006, when he moved to his most
recent role as Chief Operating Officer for Alliance Trust's newly
acquired pensions business based in the City of London.
Paul Osborn - Finance Director
Paul joined the Society in 2006 and was appointed to the Board as Finance Director in February 2007. He is a chartered accountant with over 13 years experience in the friendly societies industry and over 10 years working for a London based firm of chartered accountants. Prior to joining Foresters, Paul worked for Teachers Provident Society holding senior positions in finance and investment.
Neil Armitage- Marketing Director
Neil joined the Society as Marketing Director in April 2008. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing where he has achieved the status of Chartered Marketer and also has an MBA from Exeter University. He has sat on the board of several organisations as Marketing Director developing brands and markets both at home and overseas. More recently, Neil worked for Exeter Friendly Society where he was Group Marketing Director.
Non-Executive Directors
Glyn Carpenter - Chairman
Glyn was elected to the Board in 2002, appointed Deputy Chairman in 2004 and Chairman in September 2007. Following a career in the civil service and local government, he is currently an inspector with the Audit Commission, examining local government services and the NHS. Glyn is a member of the Institute of Directors and a qualified company director, achieving Chartered Director status with the Institute of Directors in 2007.
Carl Genese- Deputy Chairman
Carl was elected to the Board in September 2007 and has had a long history with the Society in a variety of roles. He has worked within the insurance industry for many years including overseas postings. He has recently been appointed to the Chairmanship of the Heritage Trust, is a Pension Trustee and a branch secretary. Outside of the Society, Carl is also an elected Parish Councillor.
Anthony Lovell - Senior Independent Director
Tony was elected to the Board in September 2007 and came to the Society by way of Tunstall Assurance where he served as a Non-Executive Director until transfer to the Society. He became a member of Tunstall Assurance and Collecting Society in 1964 and has been a committee member of Foresters Tunstall Branch since inception in 2003 and has served as Chief Ranger. He is self employed and specialises in the management of health and safety. He is the Board's health and safety appointed champion and is a member of the Nominations Sub-Committee.
Andrew Pooley
Andrew joined the Board in 2002. He has worked at the Royal Courts of Justice for over thirty years dealing with Chancery Companies and Bankruptcy. He has held a number of branch officer roles over the past twenty years.
Graham Berville
Graham Berville was appointed to the Board in August 2009. Previously a board director of CU Life and CGU Life, Graham joined Police Mutual in 2001 as Chief Executive. While at Police Mutual Graham was a member of the Life Insurance Committee of the ABI, a founding director and latterly Chairman of the Association of Mutual Insurers and a director of the Association of Friendly Societies. He also chaired the Annotated Combined Code Steering Group. Since leaving Policy Mutual at the end of 2008 he has been involved in a non-executive capacity in the development of a recycling business with a particular focus on flood prevention.
John Levett
John was elected to the Board in 2003. He is a member of the Nomination and Remuneration Sub-Committees and is also Chariman of Foresters General Insurance. John was employed as Personnel and Administration Manager with British Rail and then Human Resources Manager with Railtrack until retirement. He joined the Society in 1954.
Penny O'Nions
Penny was appointed as Chairman of the newly created Investment Committee and is also a member of the Remuneration Committee. Penny has had wide experience of the financial sector including banking and financial management. She now runs her family group company offering investment and protection advice and services. Penny is also a regular contributor to "Working Lunch" on BBC TV and writes for the financial press.
Kathryn Vagneur
Kathryn was appointed to the Board in March 2008. She is a Director of Durant Ltd, a private investment fund. Previously, a Director with PricewaterhouseCoopers, she has a PhD from London Business School where she did research for the CBI and consulted on strategy implementation with FTSE100 companies. She has an MSc (Management), BSc (Maths) and researches and writes about corporate governance and business improvement.
Cheryl Eagleson
Cheryl was elected to the Board in September 2008. She is retired and worked in the paper and textile industry for most of her career. She is an active Forester and has held offices within the Society's structure