Directorate Update

RNS Number : 9682G

Aberdeen Asian Smaller Co's Inv Tst

12 November 2018

 

ABERDEEN STANDARD ASIA FOCUS PLC (the "Company")

(formerly Aberdeen Asian Smaller Companies Investment Trust PLC)

Legal Entity Identifier (LEI): 5493000FBZP1J92OQY70

12 November 2018

Directorate Update

As part of the process of Board refreshment and succession planning the Board of Aberdeen Standard Asia Focus PLC is delighted to announce the appointments of Charlotte Black and Deborah Guthrie as independent non-executive Directors of the Company with effect from the close of business of the Annual General Meeting to be held on 16 January 2019.

Nigel Cayzer, Chairman, commented:

"I am looking forward to welcoming Charlotte and Debby to the Board when they join in January 2019.  Charlotte has experience in various non-executive roles and as a board member within financial services, in both commercial and infrastructure companies and trade associations, and is an experienced champion of major changes in the market's infrastructure.  Debby is an equity research sales specialist with many years' experience of the Japanese equity market as well as a wider understanding of Asian markets, having lived and worked in the region.

Appointment of Charlotte Black

Ms Black is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment and an independent public affairs consultant. She was until 2015 director, Corporate Affairs at Brewin Dolphin Holdings PLC, having previously served within that company as Marketing Director and in investment management roles.  Charlotte has served on the boards of a number of industry related entities including The Wealth Management Association, The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment and Euroclear PLC.

In accordance with Listing Rule 9.6.13 (1):

Ms Black is not currently a director of any publicly listed companies and has not in the last five years been a director of any publicly listed companies.

Ms Black does not have a beneficial interest in any Ordinary shares of the Company.

In relation to Ms Black's appointment, there is no additional information required to be disclosed in accordance with Listing Rules 9.6.13 (2) - (6).

Appointment of Deborah Guthrie

Ms Guthrie is an experienced Japanese equity research salesman at Pelham Smithers Associates, having formerly been director, Yen Equity Sales at Bank of America Merrill Lynch and prior to that director, Japan Equity Sales at Smith New Court. As a first career, Debby worked in the Finance and Environment branches of the Hong Kong Government, as an Administrative Officer.

Ms Guthrie is currently a director of JP Morgan Japan Smaller Companies Investment Trust PLC. She has not in the last five years been a director of any other publicly listed companies.

Ms Guthrie does not have a beneficial interest in any Ordinary shares of the Company.

In relation to Ms Guthrie's appointment, there is no additional information required to be disclosed in accordance with Listing Rules 9.6.13 (2) - (6).

Retirement of Chris Maude

As part of the on-going Board refreshment process, Mr Maude has indicated that he intends to retire as a non executive Director of the Company with effect from 31 March 2019.  The Directors would like to sincerely thank Mr Maude for his considerable contribution to the Company in the eleven years since his appointment, latterly as Chairman of the Audit Committee.

With effect from 31 March 2019, Mr Yea has agreed to become Audit Committee Chairman.

For further information, please contact:

Charles Mearns

Aberdeen Asset Management PLC

Secretaries

Tel. [phone]

 

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