Directorate Change

RNS Number : 1100N

easyJet PLC

26 August 2011

 

easyJet plc announces Board changes

"easyJet plc today announced that Andy Martin and Adèle Anderson will join the Board of easyJet as Non Executive Directors with effect from 1^st September 2011.

Andy Martin is Group Finance Director for Compass Group PLC.  He was previously a partner with Arthur Andersen and held senior financial positions with Forte PLC and Granada Group PLC.  Following the disposal of the Hotels Division in 2001, Andy joined First Choice Holidays PLC (now TUI Travel PLC) as Group Finance Director.  Adèle Anderson became a partner at KPMG in 1997. She was the youngest member of the KPMG UK Board when appointed in 2000 and was appointed CFO in 2001.  She became CEO of KPMG's captive insurer in 2003 and in 2009 moved to KPMG Europe where she was Head of Financial Analysis, Risk and Control and then Europe CFO before leaving in July 2011.  She previously had extensive client involvement including advising on aircraft leasing. 

In view of these appointments and the recent appointment of Charles Gurassa, and in order to avoid the unnecessary costs and distraction of the EGM requested by easyGroup Holdings, Sir David Michels, who gave notice in May that he would leave the Board at the end of the year, has stepped down from the Board with immediate effect. As this removes the sole purpose of the easyGroup Holdings request, no EGM will be called, allowing the Board and management to remain wholly focussed on running the business through the summer peak.  Charles Gurassa will become Deputy Chairman and Senior Independent Director with immediate effect.

The Board and Sir David wish to emphasise that they entirely reject the allegations in the letter from easyGroup released on 5^th August. The Board expresses its gratitude to David for his work as a Board member over the past six years, including his time as Interim Chairman of the Board from July to December 2009. 

In addition, given his other commitments and having completed his three year term, Sven Boinet will step down from the Board on 30^th September 2011.

Sir Michael Rake, easyJet Chairman commented on the announcement:

"I would like to personally thank David Michels for his major contribution to the Company over the last six years as a director, Deputy Chairman and for six months as Interim Chairman and for his support to me as Chairman.  I would also like to thank Sven Boinet for his very important contribution to the Company.

I am very pleased to welcome Andy Martin and Adèle Anderson to the Board.  Their experience will strengthen the Board's capabilities in the area of risk and financial management."

There are no further disclosures required under Rule 9.6.13 of the Listing Rules

ENDS

For further details please contact:

easyJet plc

Analysts:

Chris Kennedy, Chief Financial Officer                                  [phone]

Press:

Paul Moore, Communications                                                [phone]

Edward Simpkins        Finsbury                                              [phone]

                                                                                                [phone]

 

END

 

 

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