Persimmon plc - Board of Directors

There are nine members of our Board of Directors, the Chairman, three Executive Directors and five Non-Executive Directors. The Executive Directors provide a direct line of control between the Company and its operating businesses. The Non-Executive Directors provide a balance to the Board and bring a wide breadth of experience.

The Board meets six times a year and has a formal schedule of matters reserved for its consideration and decision. This schedule includes the approval of financial and marketing strategy, dividend policy, approval of annual and half year results, major investments, review of performance, monitoring risk, reporting to shareholders and ensuring adequate financial resources are available. The schedule is reviewed on an annual basis.

The Board members are as follows:

		John White Group Chairman (58)
		John White was appointed Group Chairman in April 2006, previously having been Group Chief Executive for 13 years. He has spent all his working life in the housing industry. After joining Persimmon in 1979 he was responsible for establishing the Group’s operations in the Midlands, following which he was appointed Regional Chairman for the South. Mr White was appointed to the Board in 1986 and is Chairman of the Nomination Committee and the Risk Committee.
Top of page
		Mike Farley BSC (HONS.) MCIOB Group Chief Executive (56)
		Mike Farley was appointed Group Chief Executive in April 2006. He joined Persimmon in 1983 and was appointed to the Board in 1989. Mr Farley is a member of the Chartered Institute of Building. He was responsible for establishing Persimmon Homes Wessex and for developing the Group’s operating businesses in the Midlands before becoming Chief Executive of the original South Division. Mr Farley is a member of the Risk Committee.
Top of page
		Mike Killoran BA (HONS.) ACA Group Finance Director (48)
		Mike Killoran joined the Company in 1996 and was appointed to the Board in January 1999. A chartered accountant by profession, Mr Killoran worked in manufacturing, distribution and retail sectors before joining the Group. He took over his present role in April 1999 and is a member of the Risk Committee.
Top of page
		Jeff Fairburn North Division Chief Executive (43)
		Jeff Fairburn joined the Group in 1989. He was promoted to Managing Director of the Group’s North East operating business in 2000 and became North Eastern Regional Chairman in 2005, before assuming his current role of North Division Chief Executive in 2006. Mr Fairburn was appointed to the Board on 1 June 2009 and is a member of the Risk Committee.
Top of page
		David Thompson Senior Independent Director (55)
		David Thompson is Chairman of Marston’s PLC and Chief Executive of Anglia Maltings (Holdings) Limited. He is also a non-executive director of Caledonia Investments Plc. Appointed to the Board in August 1999, he is the Senior Independent Director, Chairman of the Audit Committee and a member of the Nomination and Remuneration Committees.
Top of page
		Neil Davidson CBE Non-Executive Director (59)
		Neil Davidson is Chairman of the Nickerson Rothwell Group, Leicestershire County Cricket Club Limited and a Director of Emerging Media. He was previously Chief Executive of Arla Foods UK PLC until he retired in June 2005. He joined the Board on 19 January 2004. He is Chairman of the Corporate Responsibility Committee and a member of the Nomination and Remuneration Committees.
Top of page
		Nicholas Wrigley Non-Executive Director (54)
		Nicholas Wrigley is an Executive Vice Chairman of Rothschild London and a member of its Global Investment Banking Committee and Global Management Committee. He has over 25 years’ mergers and acquisitions experience at Rothschild including three years in Australia. Before joining Rothschild he qualified as an accountant. Mr Wrigley was appointed to the Board on 1 February 2006 and is Chairman of the Remuneration Committee and a member of the Audit and Nomination Committees.
Top of page
		Richard Pennycook Non-Executive Director (46)
		Richard Pennycook was appointed to the Board on 14 March 2008. A chartered accountant and graduate of Bristol University, he has been the Group Finance Director of Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC since 2005. Previous roles include Group Finance Director of RAC plc, Finance Director of J D Wetherspoon plc, CEO of Welcome Break Holdings PLC and non-executive Director of Richer Sounds plc. Mr Pennycook is a member of the Audit Committee.
Top of page
		Jonathan Davie Non-Executive Director (63)
		Jonathan Davie was appointed to the Board on 1 January 2010. He is non-executive Chairman of IG Group Holdings Plc and First Avenue Partners LLP and non-executive Director of Infrastrata Plc. Mr Davie’s previous roles include Vice Chairman of Credit Suisse, CEO of BZW Global Equities and non-executive Director of Credit Suisse UK Private Bank. Mr Davie is a member of the Audit Committee.
Top of page