A FORMER MP has been appointed on to the board at Provident Financial.

Margot James has been named as an independent non-executive director of the company with effect from yesterday at the Bradford-based company.

On her appointment, she will become a member of the Nomination, Remuneration and Customer, Culture and Ethics Committees.

She said: "I am very excited to be joining Provident Financial plc as Non-Executive Director.

The company has a strong social purpose and I look forward to working with the Board as we continue to make progress on the Group's strategy, delivering for our customers and our shareholders

Margot served MP in Stourbridge, West Midlands, between 2010 and 2019, and has held a number of ministerial offices, latterly as Minister of State for the Department of Digital, Culture, Media & Sport where she championed the interests of both industry and consumers in the digital world.

In her role as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, Margot had responsibility for small businesses, consumers and corporate governance, including labour markets and the retail sector.

Patrick Snowball, Chairman of Provident Financial plc said: "I am delighted to welcome Margot to the Board and look forward to working with her.

“Her appointment brings a great balance of skills and experience to the Board, with her wide ranging career as a commercial and entrepreneurial business owner and her work in the UK Government.

“Margot’s experience of working in consumer policy, citizens advice and advising on labour markets will enable her to understand and promote the interests of our customers and wider stakeholders, as we seek to deliver our purpose of helping put people on the path to a better everyday life.”

Prior to serving as an MP, Margot founded Shire Health Group in 1985, which provided public relations and medical education services to pharmaceutical companies, and led its growth to over 100 staff.

She led the successful transitioning of Shire Health Group to the multinational WPP in 2000 and subsequently joined the Board of Ogilvy & Mather, one of WPP's larger advertising-led networks, between 2003 and 2006. Margot has also served as a Non-Executive Director of Parkside NHS Trust.