New man

Old Mutual plc has appointed Michael Marks as a non-executive director, effective 1 February.

Michael Marks, CBE (62) is one of the founding partners of New Smith Capital Partners LLP. Until February 2003 he had held a number of senior roles with Merrill Lynch, including executive chairman of Merrill Lynch Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Prior to joining Merrill Lynch in 1995, he had been chairman of Smith New Court PLC, having earlier been responsible for the international operations of that company in New York, Hong Kong, Singapore and South Africa.

He is a director of the London Stock Exchange and was formerly chairman of the London Investment Banking Association and Vice-President of the British Bankers' Association. He was awarded a CBE in 1999 for services to Britain's financial services industry.