Anderson named as new CFS Chief Executive

THE Co-operative Group has announced the appointment of former Yorkshire Building Society chief David Anderson as the new Chief Executive of Co-operative Financial Services.
Mr Anderson, 49, replaces Sir Mervyn Pedelty who took early retirement from CFS in December in order to spend more time on his charitable and other non-Co-op interests.
The new incumbent at 1 Balloon Street ? who will take over his new role in early June – is currently Chief Executive for Jobcentre Plus, the government agency that resulted from the merger of the Employment Agency and the Benefits Agency.
He took up that position in June 2003. Prior to that, most of his career, from 1987 to 2003, was spent at Yorkshire Building Society where he was Chief Executive from 1996 to 2003, during which time it developed into one of Britain&#039s leading and most respected mutual building societies.
Mr Anderson, who is married with two children, grew up in the Manchester area, prior to achieving his first degree at Oxford University.
Current CFS Acting Chief Executive Paul Hewitt will resume his responsibilities as the Co-operative Group&#039s Chief Financial Officer in June.
Co-operative Group chairman Bob Burlton commented: "This is one of the most important roles in the Co-operative Group and the board has taken great care to select the new Chief Executive of CFS.
"In David Anderson, we have a leader with a proven track record in financial services, an enthusiast and champion for the mutual model of business, and a man whose personal values and interests closely match those of the co-operative ethos. We look forward to his arrival ."
And Mr Burlton also paid tribute to the contribution made by Paul Hewitt since Mervyn Pedelty&#039s departure.
He said: "I would like to thank Paul for stepping in as Acting Chief Executive of CFS, where he has done a superb job in keeping up the momentum of change ? particularly within CIS. The board is pleased to welcome Paul back into his role as the Co-operative Group&#039s Chief Financial Officer."
Mr Anderson said: "Both during my career at Yorkshire Building Society and since, I have long been an admirer of the co-operative model of business ? exemplified in the progressive policies of the Co-operative Bank and CIS.
"Joining CFS as its leader during its major programme of change and modernisation is an exciting prospect indeed ? I am delighted to be doing so."