The Cheque and Credit Clearing Company (C&CCC) today announced the appointment of two new independent directors to their Board: Jane Bevis and Steve McArdle. Their appointments bring a more detailed customer focus to the Board’s work, with each director given a public interest role and remit to help deliver this objective.

Jane Bevis runs her own consultancy company, undertaking communications and sustainability projects. She has previously held senior roles at the British Retail Consortium, the Association of British Insurers, HM Treasury and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Steve McArdle also has his own company having formerly been at Accenture Interactive where he was a Senior Principal in their Marketing Transformation and Strategy team, specialising in customer loyalty. Before this he was with Tesco for 15 years during which time he played a major part in the development of Tesco Clubcard.

Regarding the appointment of the two new independent directors, Angela Thomas, Managing Director of the C&CCC, said:

“The Cheque and Credit Clearing Company is delighted to welcome to its Board two independent directors who bring with them a wealth of experience. Their knowledge, insight and market awareness will be vital in ensuring that the customer perspective continues to be a key part of all our Board discussions and decisions.

“Our priority continues to be the provision of an efficient and robust payment mechanism for all cheque users, and the addition of Jane and Steve’s expertise in customer-focused areas will stand us in good stead to meet the challenges of the future.”

One of the first tasks for Jane and Steve will be to contribute to C&CCC Board discussions on cheque imaging, following HM Treasury’s announcement on 26 December 2013 that “in 2014 the government will consult on introducing legislation to speed up cheque payments and make it easier to use this important payment method”.