Edward Fitzmaurice, the company’s chief executive, said: “We are delighted that Mark is joining us. His experience of public markets will help us greatly as we prepare our group for its possible listing on the Stock Market in 2012.” Mark has more than 15 years’ experience operating at a senior level across many different sectors. His recent career includes a period as interim CFO at easyJet plc, both group finance director and then CEO at Helphire Group plc and CFO at Alpha Airports Group plc and STA Travel Group. As well as his core finance and commercial skills, Mark has considerable experience in all areas of corporate finance, both equity and debt fund raising and investor relations. Mr Fitzmaurice said: “Mark has just the right experience to take our business public. We operate in a competitive marketplace and it is people of Mark’s calibre who will help us as a company realise all our ambitions.” Mark will report directly to Mr Fitzmaurice. Hastings Direct has doubled in size in the past two years and is experiencing strong year-on-year growth. The Bexhill and Newmarket-based broker currently employs more than 1,100 staff and is on track to become a top five UK broker by 2012.