PCF Group plc announces that after more than 27 years in the roles of Managing Director and Company Secretary, Robert Murray will be retiring at the end of March 2021. He will not be seeking re-election as a director at the Company’s Annual General Meeting on 26 March 2021 and will step down from both roles on that day. Robert advised the Board of his retirement plans in January 2020 to enable the Company to put an orderly sucession plan in place.

Accordingly, as announced in December 2020, we recruited a Chief Operating Officer (COO) designate, Garry Stran, in July 2020. Garry is an experienced financial services professional having previously had roles within banking, credit management, corporate finance and advisory, most recently in the fintech sector. Since joining the Group, Garry has focused on the continued improvement of the Group’s operational business processes and formally assumed his role as COO on 1 March 2021. Garry’s time to date, working in the business will ensure an orderly handover. An application has been made to the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority for Garry Stran to assume the COO responsibilities of the Group.

The Group is pleased to advise that Robert has agreed to remain with PCF in an advisory capacity to provide subject matter expertise in credit risk-related projects.

Robert Murray, outgoing Managing Director, said: “I have enjoyed all of my 27 years at PCF, working with colleagues, customers, brokers, advisers and shareholders to help build the business into an AIM-listed, specialist bank with a portfolio of over £400million. In particular, I am pleased to have worked with and am grateful for the support of my colleagues and the Board. PCF has a fantastic team and culture which gives me confidence for its continued success.”

Garry Stran, COO, said: “I am delighted to have joined PCF at this exciting time in its development and look forward to continuing to work with Scott, the Board and the entire PCF team to drive further growth and value in the business. I would like to wish Robert a long and happy retirement and thank him for the support he has given me since my arrival at PCF.”

Commenting on today’s announcement Tim Franklin, Chairman, said: “Robert has been a significant contributor to the growth and success of PCF from its earliest days. His enthusiasm for our business and our customers together with his knowledge of our markets have been invaluable assets to the Group. We wish him well in his hard earned and much deserved retirement.”