Corporate News

10th September 2007

Appointment of new Deputy Master and Chief Executive

Angela Eagle MP, the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, today announced the appointment of Andrew Stafford as Chief Executive and Deputy Master of the Royal Mint.

Angela Eagle said:

"I am delighted to welcome Andrew Stafford to the Royal Mint. Andrew's extensive industry experience will be a great asset to the Royal Mint as it builds on last year's successes and addresses the strategic challenges ahead.

I would also like to thank David Barrass for his outstanding contribution to the Mint as interim Chief Executive over the past 18 months."

The Deputy Master of the Royal Mint is a senior civil servant, and therefore the appointment was overseen by a Civil Service Commissioner and made in accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners' Recruitment Code. The appointment has been made following an open competition.

Andrew Stafford will take up the position on 15 October 2007.

Noted to editors

• Andrew Stafford has been appointed on a three year fixed term contract.
• Andrew Stafford is an experienced Chief Executive, who has operated in both private equity and public company environments. After an early career in marketing, he moved into general management in 1991 with James Neill Holdings Ltd. In 1994, he joined Williams plc, as Managing Director in the DIY division. The businesses were sold to ICI Plc in 1998, and he then ran the European Woodcare business of ICI for a further two years. In 2000, Andrew was appointed Chief Executive of Cornwell Parker Plc, where he led the sale of the business to Silentnight Holdings Plc. In 2001, Andrew was appointed Divisional Managing Director of Britax Childcare, a private equity backed business. In 2005, he led a secondary buy-out of the business, assuming the role of Group Chief Executive, a position he held until earlier this year.
• The current Chief Executive, David Barrass, has held the post on an interim basis since January 2006.
• The Royal Mint is a Government Department, Trading Fund and Executive Agency of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who is Master of the Mint.
• More information about the Royal Mint can be found at www.royalmint.com or from the Royal Mint Press Office on 020 7255 5478.
• Media enquiries should be addressed to the Treasury Press Office on 020 7270 5238.
• Non-media enquiries should be addressed to the Treasury Correspondence and Enquiry Unit on 020 7270 4558 or by email to public.enquiries@hm-treasury.gov.uk.
• This press release and other Treasury publications and information are available on the Treasury website. If you would like Treasury press releases to be sent to you automatically by email you can subscribe to this service from the press release site on the website.