AGM Statement

AGM Statement

Next Fifteen Communications Plc

 

26 June 2019

Next Fifteen Communications Group plc

AGM Trading Update & Directorate Change

Next Fifteen Communications Group plc, the digital communications group, issues the following trading update in advance of the Company’s Annual General Meeting to be held at 4.30pm today. At the meeting, Tim Dyson, Chief Executive Officer, will deliver a presentation which will also be made available on the Company’s website www.next15.com.

Next 15 is pleased to report that it has started the year in line with the Board’s expectations. As reported in April, the Group has made significant changes at our Archetype agency which are now driving positive change, however the results of these changes won’t be felt until the second half of our fiscal year. Our recent acquisitions are making a strong contribution to our growth and we continue to have a good pipeline of acquisitions both in the US and the UK. The Board remains confident in the Group’s prospects for the full financial year.

Next 15 also announces that Genevieve Shore, Senior Independent Director, member of the Audit Committee, and Chair of the Remuneration Committee, has decided to step down from the Board of Next 15 with effect from the conclusion of the Company’s Annual General Meeting on 26 June 2019. Genevieve has decided to step down as a Director from a number of her corporate non-executive positions in order to take her experience to not-for-profit organisations and community projects focused upon tackling inequality across society.

The Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Helen Hunter (age 44) to the Board as independent Non-Executive Director, member of the Audit Committee, and Chair of the Remuneration Committee with effect from the conclusion of the Company’s Annual General Meeting on 26 June 2019. Richard Eyre CBE, Chairman of the Board, led the recruitment process supported by the global leadership and executive search consultancy Bird & Co.

Helen is Chief Data Officer at J Sainsbury plc where her remit is to maximise the value of the Group’s data assets: democratising access and finding creative ways to unlock its insight potential in support of Sainsbury’s strategy. Over the last 9 years at Sainsbury’s in roles including Director of Innovation, Director of Marketing Strategy & Innovation, and Director of Customer Data & Relationships, she has developed products and propositions such as Sainsbury’s Brand Match and new Nectar. Helen is also currently a Governor of Lancing College. Before joining Sainsbury’s, she held roles at emnos, Home Retail Group, Woolworths Group, and Kingfisher.

Genevieve Shore said:

"It’s been fantastic to see Next 15’s mix of entrepreneurs, creative talent and digital expertise drive growth and change not just at our own business but also for the companies we partner with. I have no doubt the company will continue to accelerate built upon the relentless desire to focus on “the who not the what” at its core.”

On behalf of the Board, Richard Eyre, Chairman said:

"Genevieve has made a real contribution to Next 15. We have benefitted greatly from her wealth of experience, challenge and sense of humour. She leaves with our greatest appreciation and warmest wishes for her future works.”

“We are delighted to welcome Helen to the board. Her expertise as an exceptional leader in data management and customer relationships lies in the intersection of data, technology and creativity, areas at the heart of Next 15’s strategy. Helen will be a highly valuable addition to the Board. We look forward to her contribution.”

Helen Hunter said:

"I’m thrilled to be joining Next 15, whose agencies work with some of the most dynamic companies in the world. I’m inspired by the passion of Next 15’s people and Next 15’s vision: that deploying the potent combination of data, technology and creativity is what drives profitable sales. I’m very much looking forward to making a contribution to the board and our agencies.”

Enquiries:

Next Fifteen Communications Group plc
Tim Dyson, Chief Executive Officer
[phone]

Peter Harris, Chief Financial Officer
[phone]

Numis
Nick Westlake, Mark Lander, Hugo Rubinstein
[phone]

Notes

Helen currently has no beneficial interest in the Company. The Next 15 agency Planning-Inc is an incumbent supplier to Sainsbury’s Argos and the Next 15 agency Savanta is an incumbent supplier to Sainsbury’s.

Helen Sarah Hunter uses her maiden name professionally. Her married name is Helen Sarah O’Sullivan.

Helen is, or has been, a director or partner of the following companies or partnerships during the previous five years:

JS Information Systems Limited (current)
Lancing College Limited (current)

Save as set out above there are no other disclosures in respect of the appointment of Helen that fall to be made under Rule 17 or paragraph (g) of Schedule Two of the AIM Rules for Companies.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190625005970/en/