CPP chairman to step down

Charles Gregson, who was appointed non-executive chairman of the York-based firm in January 2010, will remain in post until a successor is found.

In a statement this morning, CPP said: “(Charles) has been instrumental in supporting the group during a period of immense challenge and much change. The group has been well served during his four year tenure and the board wishes to express its sincere thanks to Charles for his service, leadership and guidance.”

Mr Gregson added: “2013 has been an important year of progress, challenge and change. The foundations have been laid to stabilise the business and we have in place a strong and experienced board and management team.

“It is therefore, appropriate for me to step down in due course and hand over to a successor who will guide the group through the next phase of its development.

“I am especially grateful for the strong support that I have received from my board colleagues over the years and thank everyone at CPP for their on-going hard work.”

Earlier this year, CPP agreed a compensation deal where seven million customers could share up to £1.3bn following a mis-selling scandal which ran from 2005 to 2011, during which time CPP sold 4.4 million policies and renewed almost 19 million.

Of the 4.4 million, it is believed that only around 300,000 were sold directly by CPP, while lenders were responsible for around 4.1 million.

Many customers were sent new bank cards which they had to activate by going through a CPP call centre, where they were offered insurance.

The group said it is committed to a “fair and reasonable outcome” for customers.

Today, the company said that its operating environment continues to be challenging and the group’s performance for 2013 remains in line with previous guidance.

The group said it remains focused on realigning the business model and cost-base whilst successfully completing the proposed Scheme of Arrangement to review claims and, where appropriate, pay redress to customers.

Total costs and provisions made in the group’s financial statements for customer redress and associated costs have increased by £10.0m to £65.8m.

It said: “Progress is being made by the new leadership team developing the group’s longer-term strategy, details of which will be communicated with the group’s 2013 preliminary results and the process of improving the operational capability and controls required to return the Group to a position of stability and strength.