Moves

Mark Ansell should be wearing claret and blue socks under his suit when he takes up the role of finance director of Aston Villa, the Premier League club which is preparing to float on the market this spring. Ansell, head of corporate finance at accountants Deloitte & Touche in the Midlands, has advised the club for more than ten years. He will be joining the board along with David Owen and one other non-executive director who has yet to be named.

Nigel Young has been named finance director of Babcock, the UK engineering and management group. His appointment follows the resignation of Erik Porter, the group’s FD, who will retire at the end of the year. Porter will continue to work with the group on a consultancy basis. Young joins the company from First Technology where he was finance director.

Michael Stacey is the new finance director of Grosvenor Square Properties, the property subsidiary of Associated British Ports Holdings (ABPH). Stacey, who replaces Julian Smith was previously group financial accountant at ABPH.

John Edwards is going from electricity to building materials when he takes up the position as group finance director of Meyer International, the building materials and timber products distribution group. Edwards joins the group from Northern Electric where he was finance director.

He replaces Bruce Wright who resigned for personal reasons.

Gary Stokes, formerly divisional finance director of Coats Viyella Clothing, has taken up the FD mantle at Tomkinsons, the Kidderminster-based carpet manufacturer. He replaces David Williams who has been promoted to group managing director.

Michael Queen has been promoted to finance director of 3i following a board reshuffle. Queen, who will take up the position in July, takes over from Brian Larcombe who has become chief executive. Larcombe replaces Ewen Macpherson, who is taking early retirement.

Lorraine Richards has been appointed finance director of Network Technology.

She replaces Hannelore Bollmann who will remain as commercial director.

John Bason is the new finance director of Bunzl, the paper and plastics group. Bason replaces David Williams who has been promoted to group managing director.

Geoffrey Bland has resigned as finance director at property and leisure company, BS Group. Bland has been with the company for the last 10 years, four of those as finance director. A replacement for him has yet to be found.

Charles Tilley is the new finance director of Granville Holdings, the independent investment banking group. Tilley, who left a similar role with Hambros at the end of last year, will also be in charge of business development. He takes over from Steven Sussman who left the company at christmas.

James Beazley has been appointed finance director of the British Blood Stock Agency, the provider of services to race horse owners. Beazley replaces John Harvey-Barnes who is retiring after 20 years with the company.