Co-operative Financial Services has appointed Gerry Pennell as director of information and communications technology (ICT) with a brief to integrate IT at the group's insurance and banking arms.
Pennell, aged 44, joined CFS in January 2003 as director of ICT development and delivery having previously held senior positions with Barclay's Bank and PWC. He was also responsible for successfully directing the programme to develop, establish and operate all technology support for the Manchester Commonwealth Games in 2002.
Pennell comments: "Many organisations fail to realise the full potential of ICT, which comes from the effective integration of data, processes and systems. The recent formation of Co-operative Financial Services provides us with an exceptional opportunity to look at our existing systems, how these work, where improvements can be made and identify opportunities that can be exploited, ensuring that we deliver improved service to our customers."
Co-operative Financial Services was formed in April 2002 to bring together The Co-operative Bank, smile (the Internet bank) and Co-operative Insurance Society under the common management of Mervyn Pedelty, chief executive of CFS.