Clarien Bank Ltd has appointed Buford Alexander as an independent director of its board of directors.

Mr Alexander is a director emeritus of McKinsey & Company, where he served clients in high tech, banking and consumer goods, and was a leader of McKinsey’s European practices in those industries.

A statement by Clarien said the appointment was in line with a strategy toward expanding the organisation into asset management, corporate and institutional banking, investment banking and wealth management.

Bank chairman Keith Stock stated: “We welcome Buford, his extensive European perspective, and advisory experience to the board. He is an accomplished leader and adviser to companies who possess an impressive record of success and substantive impact in the global financial services sector. We look forward to his contributions towards Clarien Bank’s goals of growth, internationalisation and leadership.”

Mr Alexander joined McKinsey’s Los Angeles office and moved to Amsterdam in 1983 where he served until his retirement in 2008. While at McKinsey, Mr Alexander founded its European Corporate Finance practice, led the transformation of numerous European multinationals, was a senior banking consultant that led two major European bank mergers as well as development of various asset management, investment banking and retail banking strategies.

Mr. Alexander is a member of the board of Gemalto NV, a global leader in digital security. He also chairs the supervisory board of the Amsterdam Institute of Finance and is a member of the International Policy Committee of the US Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Alexander chairs the Holland America Friendship Foundation and serves as a member of the Fulbright Commission in the Netherlands. Mr Alexander is also a past president of the American Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands. Mr Alexander’s philanthropic interests are evidenced in his work with the John Adams Institute and Foundation Giving Back which supports underprivileged children in the Netherlands.

Mr Alexander’s efforts to enhance Dutch — US relations were recognised in 2001 by Queen Beatrix, who bestowed on him the Royal Distinction of Officer in the Order of Oranje-Nassau.

Mr Alexander joins current presiding board directors James Gibbons, Andrew Parsons and CH (Hal) Masters, as well as Mr Stock.