Travis Perkins appoints new Finance Director

Building materials supplier Travis Perkins has found a replacement for the role of Group Finance Director following the announcement of Paul Hampden Smith's retirement.

Tony Buffin will join the company at some point during the second quarter of 2013, with Hampden Smith staying on until September 2013 to ensure a proper handover.

The company has described Buffin as having an "exceptionally strong track record in financial management, corporate finance and in creating and executing organic growth strategies" and said it "believes it is fortunate to have secured the services of such a strong candidate".

Tony joins from Coles Group, an Australian retail business with AU$32bn turnover, where he has been Chief Financial Officer since July 2009 and where he is responsible for finance, property, IT, strategy and financial services. Prior to joining Coles, Tony held a number of senior finance and general management roles including, financial controller of the Boots Group and CFO and Chief Executive Officer of the international business of Aimia, a loyalty management company.

Robert Walker, Chairman of Travis Perkins, said: "It was important that we replaced Paul Hampden Smith with the right candidate and the board believes that it has achieved this with the appointment of Tony, whose track record speaks for itself. We believe he will become an important addition to our senior executive team."

NR