18 December 2014
4imprint Group plc ("4imprint" or the "Group")
Board Succession Planning
4imprint, the leading international direct marketer of promotional products, today issues an announcement regarding its Board succession planning.
Over the past three years, 4imprint has successfully disposed of its non-core businesses (Brand Addition and SPS) and has undertaken a substantial reduction and de-risking of its legacy Defined Benefit Pension Scheme.
The 4imprint Group (the "Group") now consists exclusively of its Direct Marketing business in the USA, comprising 96% of the Group's revenue, together with its small UK subsidiary, both managed from Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The Group's results are now reported in US Dollars.
Reflecting this evolution, the Board has decided the following succession plans:
With effect from 31 March 2015, Kevin Lyons-Tarr, the Chief Executive of the Direct Marketing business and an existing member of the Board will be appointed Chief Executive of 4imprint. Mr. Lyons-Tarr, who has been responsible for the growth of the Direct Marketing business since 2003, will continue to be based in the USA.
It has also been decided that 4imprint's Group Finance Director will in future also be based in the USA, although an appropriate plc accounting function, together with the Corporate Services Director and Company Secretary will be retained in the UK.
Gillian Davies, 4imprint's current Group Finance Director, has informed the Board that she does not wish to relocate to Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The Board has accepted Ms. Davies' decision and she will leave 4imprint on 31 March 2015, following a handover. The Board wishes to thank Ms. Davies for her substantial contribution as Group Finance Director to the reorganisation and growth of 4imprint since 2004 and to wish her well for the future.
David Seekings, who has been Chief Financial Officer of the Direct Marketing business since 2000 will, also with effect from 31 March 2015, be appointed to the Board as Group Finance Director of 4imprint. Mr. Seekings is a UK citizen, an Oxford University graduate and a Chartered Accountant who has worked very closely with Mr. Lyons-Tarr and has contributed significantly to the development of the Direct Marketing business.
At an appropriate point later in 2015, John Poulter, the Executive Chairman of 4imprint, will relinquish his executive duties and will become Non-Executive Chairman.
The Board intends to make an additional Non-Executive Director appointment in the New Year.
There are no disclosures required under Listing Rule 9.6.13 in respect of Mr. Seekings' appointment.
John Poulter, Chairman of 4imprint, said:
"Following the significant strategic development of 4imprint over the last few years, we have realigned the Board more closely to reflect our US bias.
"By promoting Kevin Lyons-Tarr and David Seekings to Group Board leadership positions, we have ensured continuity of management and recognition of their significant contributions to 4imprint's growth."
For further information, please contact:
4imprint Group plc Tel. + 44 (0) 20 7299 7201
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MHP Communications Tel. + 44 (0) 20 3128 8100 |
John Poulter Executive Chairman
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Reg Hoare Katie Hunt
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