Reg Vardy today announced that Robert Forrester has been appointed finance director to take effect from June 29.

This follows former finance director Gerard Murray's appointment as chief executive which took effect on 1 May 2001.

Mr Forrester, 31, was previously finance director of Brookhouse Group Limited and qualified as a chartered accountant with Arthur Andersen. Peter Vardy, chairman, said: "I am delighted that Robert will be joining the main board next month. Robert brings with him an impressive academic record and significant experience of the corporate finance environment. He is young, energetic and dynamic, which I believe, complements the existing culture of the Group and further strengthens its management team."