Standard Life Investments strengthens board

Standard Life Investments, the global fund manager, has today strengthened its board with the appointment of Virginia Holmes* as Non-Executive Director.

An experienced and respected figure in the pensions and investment industry, Virginia holds a number of directorships and was previously Chief Executive of AXA Investment Managers in the UK.

Earlier this year, Virginia was appointed director of the Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo), the Canadian crown corporation which administers the $75bn investment assets of the State of Alberta.

She is also chair of the Investment Committee for the ?32bn Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), the UK's second largest pension scheme, which has become increasingly active alongside its global peer group.

This appointment follows a wide-ranging search and selection process.

Commenting on the appointment Colin Buchan, Non-Executive Chairman of Standard Life Investments, said: "With a career spanning more than 25 years within the financial services sector, the depth and breadth of Virginia's experience makes her an ideal addition to the board of Standard Life Investments.

Her expansive knowledge of the investment industry will enable her to provide expert advice and support the strategic direction of the company.

"Since its launch in 1998, SLI has seen its third party assets grow more than eight-fold and establish a client base spanning 31 countries across the globe.

Virginia will play a key role in building on this success." *Please note that this appointment is still subject to FSA approval.

Concise CV - Virginia Holmes: Current Directorships: Alberta Investment Management Corporation.

Universities Superannuation Scheme.

JP Morgan Fleming Claverhouse Investment Trust.

Professional Experience: 2000 - 2003 Chief Executive, AXA Investment Managers in the UK (London).

1998 - 1999 Global Head of Strategic Development, AXA Investment Managers (London).

1996 - 1997 Managing Director of Barclays Bank Trust Company (London).

1992 - 1995 Deputy Chief Executive of European Equities, Barclays de Zoete Wedd Securities (London).

1990 - 1991 Manager, International Securities Division, Barclays de Zoete Wedd (London).

1987 - 1989 Corporate Finance Manager, Barclays de Zoete Wedd (Madrid).

1985 - 1986 Manager, Merchant Banking Services, Lloyds Merchant Bank (London).

1983 - 1984 Account Executive, Lloyds Bank International (Madrid).

Other Non-Executive Directors: Colin Buchan - Non-Executive.

Chairman Colin Buchan joined the Board of Standard Life Investments in 2002, and was appointed as Non-Executive Deputy Chairman in January 2004 and as Chairman in May 2008.

He was also appointed as a Non-Executive Director of the Standard Life plc Board in January 2008.

Colin also has Directorships with The Royal Bank of Scotland plc and National Westminster Bank plc.

Prior to 2002, he held various senior positions within SG Warburg in Asia and the UK before retiring from his position as Head of Global Equities and from the Group Management Board of UBS Warburg in 2001.

Colin was then appointed as Director of Merrill Lynch World Mining Trust.

Sandy Crombie - Non-Executive Director: Sandy Crombie holds the position of Group Chief Executive of Standard Life plc.

He has been with Standard Life for 42 years, holding various senior management positions.

Sandy gained responsibility for the investment team in 1994 as general manager and held additional responsibilities for the group's overseas development activities in Ireland, Spain, Germany, India and China until 1996.

In 1998 he was appointed Chief Executive of Standard Life Investments at its launch.

Sandy was appointed Deputy Group Chief Executive in 2002 and became Group Chief Executive in January 2004.

Sandy is Chairman of the Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust and Vice Chairman of The Board of Governors of The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD).

Colin Clark - Non-Executive Director: Colin began his career as a Graduate Trainee with SG Warburg and Co in 1980.

In 1983 he joined MAM as a Portfolio Manager responsible for UK equity research and for the management of 12 UK equity portfolios.

In 1987 he was appointed Head of Sales and Clients Services based in New York.

Colin returned to London in 1989 as Head of Marketing.

Later in 1996 he was appointed Head of Global Sales and Marketing.

He was a member of a five man senior management team involved in the negotiation of the acquisition of MAM by Merrill Lynch in November 1997.

In 1998 he was appointed Head of Global Sales and Marketing for MLMAM.

In 1999 he was appointed Head of Global Marketing at Merrill Lynch Investment Managers (MLIM).

Colin was appointed as a Non-Executive Director of the Board of Standard Life Investments in December 2004.

He is a Director of Aida Capital.

He is also a Non-Executive Director of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and Alpha Strategic plc.

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