Geoffrey Howe

Chairman

Geoffrey Howe, 58, was appointed a non-executive director in January 2002, became Joint Deputy Chairman in November 2004 and the Senior Independent Director in April 2005.

He was appointed Chairman in April 2006 when he relinquished the appointments as Senior Independent Director, Chairman of the Remuneration Committee and member of the Audit Committee. He remains a member of the Nominations Committee.

He is Chairman of the Nationwide Building Society and a director of Investec plc. He was formerly Chairman of Railtrack Group plc, a director and group general counsel of Robert Fleming Holdings and managing partner of Clifford Chance.