For the past 24 years, Mr. Roberts has been successfully engaged in international business developement, and the design and implementation of service systems for world scale engineering projects. Prior to joining the BCB team, he was employed as a project executive responsible for the design, construction and completion of a number of major sub-sea oil and gas production systems, as well as underwater pipelines for the transport of oil and gas all over the world. In this capacity, Mr. Roberts, working for Transworld Oil U.S.A., Inc. as Project Executive for the development of the Oman-India Pipeline, coordinated the project financing strategy for the debt and equity needs of this $7 billion project and the detailed planning of the project financing
documentation and associated project risk analysis.
Mr. Roberts holds a Bachelors Degree in Civil Engeering and a Masters Degree in Naval Architecture, both from London University. He is a citizen of the UK, a former naval officer, and a member of the Royal Institute of Naval Architects.
Mr. Roberts replaces Ms. Audette Exel as Managing Director of the Bank, a position she held since 1994. On OCtober 1, 1996, BCB announced the resignation of Ms. Exel, a native of New Zealand, who has plans to move with her husband to Australia where her family has lived since 1983. Ms. Exel will remain at BCB until December 13 to complete the process of an efficient and orderly transfer of her responsibilities to Mr. Roberts.
In announcing Mr. Roberts' appointment, BCB Chairman, Mr. John Chr. M.A.M. Deuss said: "Peter is an effective and organised manager with both the marketing skills and the leadership qualities necessary to direct and motivate the activities of the Bank staff. He practices a team-oriented management style that elicits a high level of commitment and involvement from his staff. Peter has a strong track record of success and I am confident he will continue on this track at BCB. He is highly competitive and will work to grow the Bank's business."
Mr. Roberts said: "I am very pleased to accept this appointment. BCB has achieved many significant accomplishments over the last three years. I look forward to working with our many clients and staff to continue on the path of growth that has been established."
Mr. Deuss said he was pleased with BCB's performance over the past three years. "After FCIB bought Barclays' shares, we restructured the Bank and devoted a great deal of time and resources to growth. The results since that time have been excellent. We have doubled the Bank's capital base, increased profits from approximately $500,000 in 1993 to $2.1 million this year, substantially increased the size of the balance sheet, implemented state-of-the-art electronic banking systems, formed BCB Merrill Lynch Asset Management, and received a B/TBW-1 rating from Thomson Bank Watch, Inc. BCB has an experienced staff with great depth of knowledge and expertise in providing a wide variety of high quality financial services. Iam certain Peter and his team will continue to enhance BCB's performance in the future, to the benefit of its shareholders, clients and staff."