Armstrong Bonham Carter Armstrong Bonham Carter, 1 Angel Court, EC2R 7HJ, England

John Standen, Adviser

John has over 10 years' experience as a Non-Executive Chairman and Director of quoted companies. Since retiring at 50 from a career in corporate finance, his challenges as Chairman at Board level have included, at Reg Vardy plc, the complex contested bid in 2006; energizing strategic change and resisting activist shareholders over four years at Chapelthorpe plc; and returning cash to shareholders of Actinic plc at the end of the dotcom bubble. He particularly enjoys working with entrepreneurial people facing challenges, but with good opportunities to reward shareholders.

John had a long career with Barclays, including BZW, and was CEO of Corporate Finance at BZW in the early 90s.

Currently, John is Chairman of three public listed companies, Xploite, a data storage business, Stanelco, which is engaged in the commercialisation of biotechnology intellectual property principally for use in bioplastics and AT Communications Group Plc., a telecommunications services supplier. He is also the Senior Independent Director at Lavendon Group plc, which is a rental business providing powered access machinery.

Additionally, John is Chairman of two private companies, Media Initiatives Group, a media sales company principally involved in online markets and Private Software Limited, which develops online retailing software.

In a voluntary capacity, John is the Chairman of the Council and Pro Chancellor of Hull University and was a Vice Chairman of Leonard Cheshire, the leading disability charity, until 2007.