Primary snatches Forbes executive

Alexander Forbes has suffered another blow to its executive board this week as Primary Group announced the appointment of Theunis Viljoen as finance director, European distribution.

Viljoen's departure comes 10 months after Quintin Heaney, chief executive of the international financial services businesses, left the broker to act as a consultant for Oxygen Underwriting Agency.

Viljoen joins Primary Group from Alexander Forbes International Limited, where he was financial director of the international risk services division. He has held senior management positions within Alexander Forbes since 1991.

Primary Group managing director of European distribution, Jonathan Rouse, said: "In line with our projected growth plans for the next five years, we have undertaken a major investment in our group finance division.

"As financial director of the group's European distribution businesses, Theunis will be responsible for financial accounting of the group's advisory, broking, distribution, risk management and business streams, and will work closely with the group's senior management and board of directors."

Viljoen said: "After 14 years at Alexander Forbes I was ready for a new challenge, but finding the right organisation to join brings its own challenges. I am looking forward to playing a significant part in taking the group through its next growth stage."

John Percy-Davis, chairman and chief executive, Alexander Forbes Risk Services, said: "We have made a number of senior appointments to the Risk Services board in the past 12 months. Roger Brown and Stuart McCulloch have joined us. We also appointed Grant Stobart as finance director of Alexander Forbes International in January 2004 . Viljoen decided the time was right for him to seek new challenges."

"Quintin Heaney was responsible for the group's successful merger and acquisitions programme. Once we reached the end of the acquisition cycle, this role became less important and Quintin left by mutual agreement."