Spreadbetting company WorldSpreads (WSPR.L) has named former European Union commissioner Charlie McCreevy as a non-executive director.

The former Irish finance trade minister has been appointed by the company to support its European growth plans.

As part of his new role, McCreevy will be tasked with developing partnerships with banks, stockbrokers and other third parties.

Conor Foley, chief executive of Worldspreads, said Europe was a growth market for the business.

He said, 'From his position as EU commissioner, Charlie McCreevy gained a unique insight into the EU financial services sector.

'He is therefore very well positioned to help us gain access to a set of select target partners and we are therefore confident that we will encounter some exciting new partnership prospects over the next two years.'

McCreevy was most recently European commissioner for internal market and services, stepping down in 2010. He has been credited with simplifying the Irish tax system and steering Ireland's entry into the euro.

McCreevy is a non-executive director positions at Sports Direct International and Ryanair and is a director of Bank of New York Mellon Clearing International.

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