NS&I announces new Chairman

The Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Ian Pearson MP, has appointed Martin Gray as the new Chairman of the Board of NS&I. Martin Gray will take up his new appointment from 1 September 2009.

Martin Gray joined NS&I’s Board as a Non-Executive Director on 1 January 2005. He replaces Paul Spencer as Chairman who has served as a Non-Executive Director on NS&I’s Board since 1 September 2003 and as Chairman since 1 January 2005.

NS&I’s Non-Executive Directors serve on the board for a maximum of two three-year terms – this includes any time spent as Chairman. Paul Spencer is leaving at the end of his second three-year term on NS&I’s Board. Martin Gray will serve as Chairman until December 2010 at the end of his second three-year term.

Non-Executive members of NS&I’s Board ensure a sound strategy is in place to meet the organisation’s remit. They also act as an external source of advice, maintaining risk control and ensuring NS&I’s links with its strategic partner remain open and transparent.

Jane Platt, Chief Executive, NS&I, said:

“Paul Spencer has been an excellent Chairman, guiding and supporting NS&I through an unprecedented period. I look forward to an equally productive and successful relationship with Martin Gray, as we deliver NS&I’s modernisation programme whilst maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction.”


Notes to Editors

Martin Gray - Biography

Martin Gray joined the NS&I Board as a Non-Executive Director on 1 January 2005. He will become Chairman on 1 September 2009. He is also Chairman of Evolution Group. He was Chief Executive of NatWest UK between 1992 and 1999, and has held a number of Board-level appointments within the financial services industry including NatWest Bank Group, MasterCard Inc global Board and Visa Europe.

Paul Spencer – Biography

Paul Spencer joined the NS&I Board as a Non-Executive Director on 1 September 2003 and became Chairman on 1 January 2005. He is currently Non-Executive Director at WPP Group plc, TR Property Investment Trust plc, and Nipponkoa Insurance (Europe) Ltd; and Non-Executive Chairman of the State Street Managed Pension Funds and Sovereign Reversions plc. He is the Chairman of the Rolls-Royce PLC Group Pension Fund and Independent Trustee of the BAT Group Pension Fund.

  1. The current NS&I Board members are:
    Paul Spencer - Non-executive Director and Chairman of the board
    Jane Platt - Chief Executive
    Mike Chilton - Director, Finance and Risk
    Peter Cornish - Director, Customer Offer
    Julian Hynd - Director, Change and Strategy Support
    Gillian McGrattan – People and Environment Director
    Steve Owen - Director, Channel Delivery and Management
    John Prout - Director, Customer Sales and Retention
    Sam Beckett - Director, Fiscal Policy, HM Treasury
    Sarah Tebbutt - Debt and Reserves Management Team, HM Treasury
    Martin Gray - Non-executive Director
    Michael Medlicott - Non-executive Director
    Simon Ricketts - Non-executive Director
  2. Photographs of Martin Gray, Paul Spencer and Jane Platt are available on request.

About NS&I

NS&I is one of the UK’s largest financial providers with 27 million customers and over £94 billion invested. It is best known for Premium Bonds, but also offers Inflation-Beating Savings, Guaranteed Equity Bonds and Children’s Bonus Bonds in its range. All products offer 100% security, because NS&I is backed by HM Treasury. NS&I products are available over the telephone, internet, post and by standing order.

They are also available through a network of Post Office branches. Customers can also pick up brochures for our Premium Bonds, Inflation-Beating Savings and Income Bonds at retailer WHSmith in 400 of its High Street stores and 155 of its travel stores.