Appointment of Non-executive director

RNS Number : 4227P

Focusrite PLC

29 May 2018

 

Strictly embargoed until: 07.00, 29^th May 2018

Focusrite Plc

Appointment of Naomi Climer as Non-executive Director

Focusrite Plc, the global music and audio products company, is delighted to announce the appointment of Ms Naomi Climer, as an independent Non-executive Director of the Group with immediate effect.

Ms Climer has enjoyed a career in technology, media, engineering and science, most recently holding the post of President of the Institution of Engineering and Technology, which aims, amongst other things, to inspire the next generation of engineers and technicians.

Until March 2015, she was the President of Sony's Media Cloud Services based in Los Angeles. Prior to this, Ms Climer was Vice President of Sony's B2B organisation across Europe ("Sony Professional Solutions") covering diverse markets including media, broadcast, cinema, sports, security and healthcare. During her time with Sony Professional, she delivered organisational transformation and led the acquisition of Hawk-Eye Innovations Ltd, the company that designed the computer system now widely accepted in the adjudication of many sports including cricket and tennis.

She currently holds a number of prestigious positions including: Trustee at the Royal Academy of Engineering; Non-executive Director of Sony UK Technology Centre; Chair of Council at the International Broadcasting Convention; Governor of the National Film and Television School; Co-Chair of the Institute for the Future of Work; and she is also a member of the UK Government's Science & Technology Awards Committee.

Before joining Sony Corp, Ms Climer trained as an engineer at the BBC and has worked in technical and leadership roles both at the BBC and at ITV, notably as Controller Technology, News, and Director of Technical Operations at ITV Digital.

Ms Climer is a well-known thought leader and an active campaigner for gender diversity within the engineering profession and beyond.

She is included in a number prominent lists, notably: 50 Most Influential Women in UK Engineering (2016), 50 Most Influential Women in UK IT (2015, 2016) and IABM's Broadcast Industry Woman of the Year (2014).

Commenting on her appointment, Phil Dudderidge, Chairman said:

"Focusrite has gone from strength to strength over the last few years and as we expand, so should the Board. Naomi brings complementary and relevant business experience from a number of related markets and an impressive skill set in technology, engineering and media. She is firmly established as a well-respected role model in UK engineering and her appointment is an important and welcome addition to the Focusrite Board. We look forward to working with her as we continue to execute on our growth strategy."

Ms Climer added:

"I'm excited to join the Focusrite Board.  The team has a tremendous enthusiasm for providing state-of-the-art solutions for musicians and audio engineers and, as I have been involved in both the engineering and music industries, I very much share that vision. My work with the Institution of Engineering and Technology was about inspiring young people to be involved in engineering, and I am excited to work with Focusrite to do the same through music technology. I look forward to contributing to this dynamic and well respected team and contributing to the business's future success."

-ends-

Enquiries:

Focusrite Plc:	[phone]
Phil Dudderidge (Chairman)
Jeremy Wilson (CFO)
Panmure Gordon	[phone]
(Nominated Adviser and Broker)
Freddy Crossley
Erik Anderson
Belvedere Communications	[phone]
John West
Kim van Beeck

Additional Information

In accordance with the AIM Rules, the following information required to be disclosed in relation to Ms Climer, Independent Non-executive Director, is set out below. Other than this information, there is no further information required to be disclosed under paragraph (g) of Schedule Two of the AIM Rules for Companies.

Ms Naomi Wendy Climer (formerly Gubbin) (age 53) is, or has been in the previous five years, a director or partner of the following companies: 

Current appointments	Previous appointments
The Future of Work	IEE Conventions Limited
The National Film and Television School

Ms Climer does not have an interest in any ordinary shares in the Group.

Notes to Editors

Focusrite plc is a global music and audio products group that develops and markets proprietary hardware and software products. Used by audio professionals and amateur musicians alike, its solutions facilitate the high-quality production of recorded and live sound. The Focusrite Group trades under four established and rapidly growing brands: Focusrite, Focusrite Pro, Novation and Ampify.

With a high-quality reputation and a rich heritage spanning decades, its brands are category leaders in the music-making industry. Focusrite and Focusrite Pro offer audio interfaces and other products for recording musicians, producers and professional audio facilities. Novation and Ampify products are used in the creation of electronic music, from synthesisers and grooveboxes to industry-shaping controllers and inspirational music-making apps.

The Focusrite Group has a global customer base with a distribution network covering approximately 160 territories.  Focusrite is headquartered in High Wycombe, UK, with marketing offices in Los Angeles and Hong Kong.  Focusrite plc is traded on the AIM market, London Stock Exchange.

 

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