UK direct-to-investor investment and online trading firm Hargreaves Lansdown PLC (LON:HL) today announces a change to its Board of Directors.

After a term of seven years serving on the Board, Shirley Garrood, Senior Independent Director, has confirmed that she will step down at the end of 2020. She is joining Royal London as a non-executive director. It is intended that she will take up the position of Chair of Royal London Asset Management in 2021, subject to regulatory approval.

Ms Garrood was appointed to the Board of Hargreaves Lansdown in October 2013. She brought extensive and relevant Executive and Non-Executive financial services experience. A chartered accountant, she served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer at Henderson Group plc and as an Executive Director at Morley Fund Management (Aviva). She also has broad experience as a Non-Executive Director, chairing committees of a listed company, and a G15 housing association.

Roger Perkin will take up the post of interim Senior Independent Director of Hargreaves Lansdown on January 1, 2021.

A search process for a new non-executive director is currently underway with the aim of ensuring the composition of the Board will remain appropriate in terms of its size, independence and diversity.

Shirley Garrood said:

“It has been a privilege to serve on the Board of Hargreaves Lansdown for the last seven years. I wish the business continued success over the coming years.”