Directorate Change

RNS Number : 1067C

Halma PLC

11 April 2013

 



HALMA plc

APPOINTMENT OF NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND CHAIRMAN DESIGNATE

Halma plc, the leading safety, health and environmental technology group, today announces the appointment of Paul Walker as a non-executive Director and Chairman Designate. He will join the Board with effect from 12 April 2013 and will be appointed Chairman following the proposed retirement of Geoff Unwin, Halma's current Chairman, who has indicated that he intends to step down immediately following the Annual General Meeting on 25 July 2013.
Paul was part of the original team at The Sage Group plc, a leading global provider of business software to small and medium-sized enterprises. Sage has a global footprint, a devolved management structure and an entrepreneurial culture. During his time as CEO, from 1994 to 2010, Sage's revenue increased from £51m to £1,278m. Paul has wide-ranging non-executive director experience. He is currently a non-executive Director of Experian plc and WANdisco plc, and Chairman of Perform Group PLC. He has previously served on the Boards of Diageo plc and MyTravel Group plc. Paul is a Chartered Accountant and has a BA in economics from York University.
Stephen Pettit, Senior Independent Director and Chairman of the Nomination Committee appointed to lead the succession process, said: "We are delighted to welcome Paul to the Board of Halma and to be our next Chairman. He brings significant and relevant experience which will be extremely valuable as Halma continues to develop and grow globally.
"I would like to thank Geoff Unwin for his outstanding leadership of the Board over the past 11 years. His wisdom, high standards, determination and humour have been really significant to the growth and success of the Group. Since Geoff joined the Board in 2002, Halma's market capitalisation has increased from approximately £500 million to nearly £2 billion today without recourse to shareholders. He leaves us strongly positioned to continue the Group's value creation strategy."
For further information, please contact:
Andrew Williams, Chief Executive Halma plc		[phone]
MHP Communications Rachel Hirst/Andrew Jaques		[phone]
Notes
1.	The nomination committee appointed for the chairman succession search comprised four non-executive Directors, led by the Senior Independent Director.  A global search firm was appointed. A wide range of high calibre candidates was considered for the role. The Board confirmed Paul Walker's independence upon appointment and was unanimous in its decision to appoint Paul Walker. Paul will be a member of the Nomination and Remuneration Committees and will succeed Geoff Unwin as Chairman of the Nomination Committee upon Geoff's retirement.
2.	There are no further details to disclose pursuant to Listing Rule 9.6.13.
3.	Halma's business is about protecting life and improving the quality of life for people worldwide. We are an international group with businesses in 23 countries and major operations in Europe, USA and Asia. Our businesses are highly cash generative and able to deliver world class returns on a sustainable basis. Our four specialist business sectors are: •    Process Safety - We make products which protect assets and people at work. •    Infrastructure Safety - We make products which detect hazards to protect assets and people in public and commercial buildings. •    Medical - We make products used to improve personal and public health. •    Environmental & Analysis - We make products and technologies for analysis in safety, life sciences and environmental markets.
4.	A copy of this announcement, together with other information about Halma, may be viewed on its website:  www.halma.com

 

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