Barclays Wealth Appoints John Cregan as Regional Manager in Palm Beach

NEW YORK, Dec. 7, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Barclays Wealth, a leading global wealth manager and advisor by assets under management, is pleased to announce the appointment of John Cregan as a Director and Palm Beach Regional Manager.

In this new role, Mr. Cregan will manage all aspects of the Palm Beach office. He will report to Steve Houston, who, as Head of Wealth Management, oversees the firm's regional managers and Investment Representative network in the Americas.

Mr. Cregan joins Barclays Wealth from Hotchkiss Associates, a wealth management firm in Chicago, where he served as CEO and Portfolio Manager since 2001.  Prior to that, Mr. Cregan spent 24 years working in senior bond market roles, including Head of Fixed Income Sales for the Midwest at Chase Securities, now JP Morgan Chase; National Sales Manager at  Barclays Capital in New York; and Head of the Chicago Office for Morgan Stanley's Fixed Income Division.

"It is a pleasure to welcome a regional manager of John's caliber, background and deep experience to head up our Palm Beach office," said Mitch Cox, Head of Barclays Wealth, Americas, and Head of Global Research and Investments for all of Barclays Wealth. "The Florida region as a whole is a key market for our growing business, and John is the right leader for the Palm Beach office."

Commenting on his new role, Mr. Cregan said: "I am delighted to be joining Barclays Wealth as the firm continues its growth in the Americas. Palm Beach and the Florida region have a vibrant mix of successful entrepreneurs, flourishing private businesses and wealthy families, all with complex investment and wealth management needs.  Helping match those needs with the strengths of Barclays Wealth, while strategically growing the firm's business, is a dream opportunity."

In addition to long associations with the Children's Memorial Hospital Pro-Am and Dickinson College, Mr. Cregan serves as a Director and Head of the investment committee for the Chicago Botanic Garden. He holds a BA in English Literature from Dickinson College.

About Barclays Wealth

Barclays Wealth is a leading global wealth manager, and the UK's largest, with total client assets of $251bn (pounds Sterling 158bn), as at September 30, 2010. With offices in over 20 countries, Barclays Wealth focuses on private and intermediary clients worldwide, providing international and private banking, investment management, brokerage and fiduciary services.

Barclays Group is a major global financial services provider engaged in retail banking, credit cards, corporate banking, investment banking, wealth management and investment management services, with an extensive international presence in Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia.

For further information about Barclays Wealth, please visit our website www.barclayswealthamericas.com.

Barclays Wealth is the wealth management division of Barclays Bank PLC, functioning through Barclays Capital Inc. in the United States. Barclays Capital Inc., an affiliate of Barclays Bank PLC, is a U.S. registered broker-dealer and regulated by the Securities & Exchange Commission. Member SIPC, FINRA and NYSE.

SOURCE Barclays Wealth