New FD at Premier Farnell

Premier Farnell plc, the leading global marketer and distributor of electronic, maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) products and services, has announced the appointment of Mark Whiteling as Group Finance Director and a member of the Board, effective on 1 September, 2006.

Mark (43) will join Premier Farnell from Communisis Plc, the pan-European print management and direct mail group, where he has been Group Finance Director since November 2004.

Previously, Mark was Group Finance Director of Tibbett & Britten Plc for three years until its acquisition by Exel plc in August, 2004. Tibbett & Britten Group was a FTSE 250 company and the seventh largest logistics company in the world, with revenue in 2003 of £1.6billion, operations in 34 countries and approximately 35,000 employees.

Mark trained as an accountant with Coopers & Lybrand in New Zealand, where he qualified as an ACA, and in the United States, where he qualified as a CPA. He then held a number of senior financial positions in the United Kingdom and the United States with SmithKline Beecham and Enodis Plc.

Mark graduated from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, in 1986 with a Master of Commerce (1st Class Honours).

He is married, with two children.

Harriet Green, Chief Executive Officer of Premier Farnell, said:

“I am delighted to announce Mark’s appointment to Premier Farnell. He has considerable experience as the finance director of a UK listed company and an excellent track record of financial management and control of large international groups. Through his time with Tibbet & Britten, he also has a good understanding of distribution and logistics, which will help Mark bring valuable experience and perspectives to our business.

“He joins the team at an exciting time, as Premier Farnell opens a new chapter.”