City banker David Havelock today joined the Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD) as its Credit Risk Group Director.

Mr Havelock, 56, was previously Director of Corporate Finance at Ernst & Young. He has also served as Director of the Corporate Restructuring Group at Close Brothers, and Global Head of Credit Management-Corporate Banking at Natwest. He is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers.

He takes over from Victor Lunn-Rockliffe who recently became ECGD’s new Business Group Director. John Weiss, who previously held this post and also latterly that of Deputy Chief Executive, retired last month after 41 years’ service at ECGD.

Other recent senior staff changes include the appointment of Nigel Addison Smith as ECGD’s new Finance Director in June. Mr Addison Smith, who has previously worked for First Choice Holidays plc and Ebookers plc, has particular expertise in the airline industry.

Patrick Crawford, ECGD’s Chief Executive, said: “These recent changes in ECGD’s senior management will strengthen the Department’s expertise to help it meet the challenges that lie ahead.”

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. The appointment of Messrs. Havelock and Addison Smith both follow an open competition, overseen by the Civil Service Commission.

2. Mr Crawford and Graham Pimlott, part-time,non-executive Chair, both joined ECGD in 2004, bringing with them extensive experience from the private sector. (See Press Releases Ref No. 02/04 and 09/04 for further details).

3.ECGD, the Export Credits Guarantee Department, is the UK’s Export Credit Agency. A Government Department reporting to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, it has nearly 90 years’ experience of working closely with exporters, project sponsors, banks and buyers to help UK exporters of capital equipment and project-related goods and services. We do this by providing:

• Insurance against non-payment to UK exporters;
• Help in arranging finance packages for buyers of UK goods by guaranteeing bank loans;and
• Overseas Investment Insurance - a facility that gives UK investors up to 15 years’ insurance against political risks.

4. More information about ECGD, along with other press releases, can be found at www.ecgd.gov.uk

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