Mark, who joins SFS today, has a wealth of experience in financial services, most recently his three years as managing director of AWD Moneyextra from 2005 to 2008. After starting his financial career in sales with HFC Bank in the mid-80s, he moved to Lloyds TSB Asset Finance (formerly Chartered Trust Plc) where he rose swiftly through the ranks during his 12 years holding a variety of senior sales and customer management positions. He joined Bank of Ireland in 2001, where he was chief operating officer for Chase de Vere and moved to the AWD Group in 2005 following its purchase of both Chase de Vere and Moneyextra. In his spare time, Mark enjoys spending time with his wife and two teenage children, playing golf and watching sport. He is a former professional footballer, having played for Brighton & Hove Albion from 1980 until 1985 when a knee injury forced him to retire.
Commenting on his new role, Mark Fleet said, "It's a great honour to be taking the helm of one of the UK's most respected financial services providers. I am incredibly enthusiastic about the challenge of leading SFS, through the current testing market conditions, to greater heights. With the potential changes resulting from the Retail Distribution Review, these are significant times for our industry and there are huge opportunities for those organisations which successfully adapt and focus on the needs and challenges facing UK consumers."
Peter Craddock, chairman of Skipton Financial Services, added, "Mark's qualities and financial services experience in a variety of sectors of our market made him the ideal man to lead SFS forward in the short, medium and long-term. I am delighted to welcome him to the Skipton Group and am very optimistic about the future of SFS."
