The appointment of former investment banker John Padovan to chairman of the London-based information management operator, Williams Lea, has prompted speculation that the firm is gearing up for an initial public offering.
Tony Griffiths, managing director at Williams Lea, said: "We are delighted to have John on board given his experience and knowledge of the City [of London], which will be very useful over the next couple of years." Padovan, who joined Williams Lea as deputy chairman in 1997 having been a non-executive director since 1992, has previously held the post of chairman of County Bank, and has been deputy chairman of both Hambros Bank and BZW.
