Principal
Relational Investors, LLC

Since 1996, Ralph Whitworth has been a principal of Relational Investors LLC, a private investment firm and one of Sovereign's largest shareholders.

He is the former Chairman of the Board of Apria Healthcare Group Inc., and Waste Management, Inc. He is also a former director of Mattel, Inc., Tektronix, Inc., and Sirius Satellite Radio, Inc. He is also a director of privately held Titan Investment Partners, LLC, an investment fund which focuses on emerging companies.

Whitworth was elected to Sovereign Bancorp's Board in March 2006.