Francis Stafford, age 53, was appointed to the Board as a non-executive director in January 1993, appointed Vice-Chairman in December 1997. He serves on both the Assets & Liabilities Committee and the Remuneration Committee. He is Chairman of Harper Adams University College and in 2005 was appointed High Sheriff of Staffordshire.

Lord Stafford currently manages the family estate at Swynnerton Park which has been in the family for over 900 years.