Articles - Friends Life board appointment

 Mary Phibbs will take up her role on 27 July and also join the Board Risk and Compliance Committee.

 A Chartered Accountant with over 30 years experience in financial services across the UK, Australia and Asia Pacific, Mary Phibbs brings significant and diverse expertise to the Board. She returned to the UK in 2008 to join Standard Chartered Bank plc, after holding a number of senior positions at companies including ANZ, National Australia Bank and Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

 Mary Phibbs was most recently Interim Chief Risk Officer at Allied Irish Banks plc, and currently holds non executive director positions at Northern Rock plc and The Charity Bank Limited. Her broad expertise in mergers and integration, risk and change management and corporate governance lends itself to both the company's consolidation strategy and upcoming industry developments and challenges.

 Sir Malcolm Williamson, chairman of Friends Life Group plc, commented:

 "Mary's appointment is a timely one, not least as we work on shaping the new Friends Life business. Mary has distinguished herself in high profile roles, overseeing integration work as well as change and risk management; these are hugely important areas of our business where her experience will be invaluable. 

 "I am delighted to welcome Mary to the Company and on behalf of the Board look forward to working closely with her."