The Character Group plc - Directors
Richard King
Executive Chairman
Age - 62
He has extensive experience in the toy industry and has been involved in importing consumer products from the Far East since 1969. He established the original business of The Character Group plc jointly with Mr Kissane and Mr Shah in 1991 and works in close association with the management of each division to develop and implement Group strategies.
He is the chairman of the Nominations Committee.
Kiran Shah
Group Finance Director and Joint Managing Director
Age - 53
He is a member of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants. After initially working in private accountancy practice, he moved into industry and since 1978 has been involved extensively in the toy industry, notably in his role in jointly heading up a successful management buyout of Merit Toys Limited in 1981 and its subsequent sale to Bluebird Toys plc in 1988. He jointly established the original business of The Character Group plc with Mr King and Mr Kissane in April 1991.
Jon Diver
Group Marketing Director and Joint Managing Director
Age 43
He joined the Group in September 1991 from Rainbow Toys Limited, where he was Senior Marketing Executive. He became Group Marketing Director in August 1994, and has developed close working relationships with the Group's suppliers. He has played a key role in the development and implementation of the Group's marketing strategy.
Joe Kissane
Managing Director - Character Options Limited
Age - 55
He has considerable sales expertise in and outside of the toy industry, gained over a period of 30 years, notably with such companies as Nabisco, Lego and Tonka. He is one of the founders of the Group.
Ian Fenn
Senior Independent Non-Executive Director
Age - 64
He was appointed to the Board in May 1995. He has extensive experience in corporate finance gained over many years in stockbroking and merchant banking in the City of London. He is a Director of ARM Corporate Finance Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority Limited.
He is Chairman of the Audit Committee, and also a member of the Remuneration and the Nominations committees.
Lord Birdwood
Independent Non-Executive Director
Age - 68
He was appointed to the Board in September 1995. He has experience as a Director of quoted and private companies. He has particular interests in executive placement and recruitment.
He is the Chairman of the Remuneration Committee, and also a member of the Audit and the Nominations committees.
David Harris
Independent Non-Executive Director
Age - 57
He was appointed to the Board in May 2004. He has considerable financial experience gained over a 30-year career, in both executive and non-executive capacities. He is currently a non-executive director of Small Companies Dividend Trust plc, Osprey Small Companies Income Fund Limited and Premier Absolute Growth and Income Trust plc, all of which are quoted companies.
He is member of the Audit, Remuneration and Nominations committees.
Alan Mackay
Non-Executive Director
Age - 46
He is a senior partner at 3i Investments plc, one of the worlds leading private equity companies. After founding, then selling, a marketing services business he joined 3i in 1987 and was appointed to the board of 3i plc in 1994. He currently leads 3i investment activity in the public equities arena. He is Chairman of 3TS Capital Partners, a member of the Strategic Advisory Board of SVG Investment Advisers, and a non-executive director of AIM listed company MDY Healthcare plc.