Directorate Change

RNS Number : 4055T

Genus PLC

13 December 2012

 



For Immediate Release

13 December  2012

GENUS plc

("Genus" or "the Company")

Directorate Change

Group Finance Director Retirement and Appointment of Successor

Genus, a leading global animal genetics company, announces that John Worby, Group Finance Director, has indicated his wish to retire from the Board of Genus on 31 March 2013.  Stephen Wilson will be appointed to the Board on 14 January 2013 and will succeed John as Group Finance Director on 1^st March 2013.

John Worby joined the Board of Genus in September 2004 as a Non-Executive Director and stepped into the role of Group Finance Director in February 2009.  John, who is also a Non-Executive Director of Cranswick plc and Smiths News plc, is retiring to enable him to return to focusing on his non-executive portfolio.

Stephen Wilson is currently Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Misys, the financial services software provider that was a FTSE 250 listed company until its recent acquisition by Vista Equity Partners.  Prior to Misys, he was Vice President and CFO of IBM UK.  Stephen is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and is a Non-Executive Director of Xchanging plc.

Commenting on today's announcement Bob Lawson, Chairman, said:

"During his time at Genus, John has been an invaluable member of the Board in both his Non-Executive and Group Finance Director capacities. His vast knowledge and experience supporting quoted companies has helped Genus to develop strong relationships with its shareholders and has been a huge source of strength for the CEOs with whom he has worked. We are very grateful to John for all his contributions over the years and on behalf of the Board, we wish him well in his retirement. "

Karim Bitar, Chief Executive, commented:-

"I would like to express our thanks and appreciation to John for his significant contribution over the last eight years, during which he has helped to build Genus into a leading global animal genetics company achieving strong growth. He has been a huge support to me and his standing with the City, his deep knowledge and his wise counsel have been invaluable."

"We are delighted that Stephen will be joining Genus.  He brings strong financial and business development skills, and will be a valuable business partner, with his experience of working in large global enterprises and his record of building strong finance teams.  I am looking forward to working closely with Stephen in continuing to execute our exciting and ambitious growth strategy."

Genus confirms that there are no other disclosures to be made pursuant to paragraph 9.6.13R (1) - (6) of the Listing Rules of the UK Listing Authority regarding the appointment of Stephen Wilson.

For further information please contact:

Genus plc Bob Lawson, Chairman	Tel: [phone]
Karim Bitar, Chief Executive
Buchanan	Tel: [phone]
Charles Ryland

This announcement is available on the Genus website www.genusplc.com

 About Genus

Genus creates advances to animal breeding through biotechnology and sells added value products for livestock farming and food producers.  Its technology is applicable across all livestock species but is only commercialised by Genus in the bovine and porcine farming sectors.

Genus' worldwide sales are made in seventy countries under the trademarks "ABS" (dairy and beef cattle) and "PIC" (pigs) and comprise semen and breeding animals with superior genetics to those animals currently in production.  Customers' animals produce offspring with greater production efficiency, milk and meat output and quality, and use these to supply the global dairy and meat supply chain.

The Group's competitive edge has been created from the ownership and control of proprietary lines of breeding animals, the biotechnology used to improve them and its global production and distribution network.

With headquarters in Basingstoke, England, Genus companies operate in thirty countries on six continents, with research laboratories located in Madison, Wisconsin, USA.

 

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