Chief Executive Officer Succession Planning

RNS Number : 7393N

Jupiter Fund Management PLC

22 January 2019

 

This announcement contains inside information.

Jupiter Fund Management plc

Chief Executive Officer Succession Planning

Jupiter Fund Management plc ("Jupiter" or the "Company") announces that Maarten Slendebroek is to step down as Chief Executive Officer and as a Director of the Company with effect from 1 March 2019.

The Board intends to appoint Andrew Formica as Chief Executive Officer and as a Director of Jupiter with effect from that time, subject to customary regulatory approvals.

Maarten has agreed to remain in the business until 1 May 2019 to ensure a smooth leadership transition and handover.

Ensuring that appropriate succession planning is in place for the leadership team is one of the most important roles of any board. The Board of Jupiter had envisaged that any transition in CEO would most likely occur over the next couple of years. In developing its succession plans, the Board identified Andrew as a potential successor and, in light of his availability at this point in time, has decided, with the support of Maarten, to accelerate these plans. With his depth of experience, the Board regards Andrew as an outstanding candidate ideally equipped to lead the Company in the next phase of its development.

Andrew was until 2018 the Co-CEO of Janus Henderson Group plc and was previously the Chief Executive of Henderson Group plc between 2008 and the merger with Janus Capital in 2017. He was at Henderson from 1998 and held various senior roles, joining the company's executive committee in 2004. Prior to being appointed Chief Executive, he served as Joint Managing Director of the Listed Assets business (from September 2006) and as Head of Equities (from September 2004). In the early part of his career, he was an equity manager and analyst for Henderson. Andrew was the deputy Chairman of the board of The Investment Association until September 2018 and has served as a non-executive director of Hammerson plc since November 2015.

Liz Airey, Chairman of Jupiter, commented: "On behalf of the Board, I would like to extend our sincere thanks to Maarten and pay tribute to his significant achievements for this firm, especially following his appointment as Chief Executive in 2014. Maarten was the driving force behind our successful diversification strategy which has taken this firm to a new level, growing substantially from a predominantly UK-focused equities business to one that is today broadly diversified by asset class, geography and channel. He is handing over the business in very good shape and will leave in due course with our very best wishes.

"We are delighted to have secured someone of Andrew's calibre to succeed Maarten and are particularly appreciative of Maarten agreeing to step down early and remain for a handover period to work with Andrew to ensure a smooth transition."

Maarten Slendebroek commented: "It has been a privilege to lead Jupiter over the last five years and the Company has gone from strength to strength as we have delivered against our strategic ambitions. I am particularly pleased that we continued to deliver for our clients, even in more recent times of market volatility, where we maintained strong investment performance after all fees. Much has been achieved and so this is the right time for me to hand over. The business is in excellent health and I wish my colleagues every success for the future and look forward to working with Andrew on the transition of responsibilities."

Andrew Formica said: "Jupiter is a tremendous firm and I have been very impressed by its talented people and distinct investment culture. I am excited by the firm's successful diversification strategy and look forward to helping it develop its increasingly global franchise. Jupiter's relentless focus on delivering value to clients through genuinely active investing means it is well positioned to succeed in an evolving industry. Its track record of strong investment performance for clients has enabled it to deliver significant organic growth, delivering cumulative net flows of some £5.8 billion over the last six years. I look forward to working with all of my new colleagues at Jupiter and believe the Company's growth prospects are strong."

There are no other details that are required to be disclosed in respect of Andrew's appointment under paragraph 9.6.13 of the Listing Rules.

For further information please contact:

Media
Jupiter		Kate O'Neill [phone]		Despina Constantinides [phone]
Powerscourt		Justin Griffiths [phone]		Victoria Palmer-Moore [phone]
Investors
Jupiter		Alex Sargent [phone]		Kate O'Neill [phone]

LEI Number: 5493003DJ1G01IMQ7S28

Notes for Editors

As at 31 December 2018, 77% of our mutual fund assets under management outperformed the median over three years.

Additional biography on Andrew Formica

Andrew received a MEcon from Macquarie University and a MBA from London Business School. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries in both the U.K. and Australia.

Employment terms for Andrew Formica

Andrew will be paid in accordance with the Directors' Remuneration Policy approved by shareholders on 16 May 2018. His remuneration as an Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Company will consist of:

·     Annual salary of £445,000.

·     Annual bonus opportunity up to a maximum of 425% of salary, subject to deferral, malus and clawback in accordance with the Remuneration Policy.

·     LTIP opportunity up to a maximum of 375% of salary, subject to a post-vesting holding period in accordance with the Remuneration Policy.

·     Annual cash allowance in lieu of pension of 15% of salary.

·     Insurance benefits in accordance with the Remuneration Policy.

Employment and severance terms for Maarten Slendebroek

On 21 January 2019, Maarten and the Company agreed to the terms of a Settlement Agreement whereby his employment will end on 1 November 2019 (or such earlier date as is agreed between the parties) (the "Termination Date"). Following a handover period which will end on 30 April 2019, Maarten will commence garden leave for the duration of his 6 months' notice period (or such shorter period as may be agreed). Until the Termination Date, Maarten will continue to be paid on the same basis as disclosed in Jupiter's most recent Annual Report.

The arrangements in relation to Maarten's entitlement under the 2018 Long Term Investment Plan ("LTIP"), and outstanding awards under the Deferred Bonus Plan ("DBP"), form part of his contractual entitlement.

Maarten has been awarded a bonus for 2018 of £1,000,000, based on the level of achievement of the Company's 2018 financial and strategic objectives as well as his defined individual objectives. The level of achievement has been assessed by the Remuneration Committee using the scorecard of measures defined at the start of the year and in line with the Directors' Remuneration Policy. Full disclosure of the measures and achievement levels will be provided in the Directors' Remuneration Report when the Company's Annual Report and Accounts are published in March 2019.

Maarten will be entitled to a pro-rata bonus for the proportion of the 2019 financial year worked (up to, and including, 30 April 2019). The 2019 bonus will be determined on the normal timetable in line with the Remuneration Policy.

When he leaves the Company, he will be treated as a good leaver under the DBP and LTIP with awards vesting on their normal vesting dates subject to any applicable performance and time prorating terms. Maarten will be entitled to a capped contribution of up to £15,000 (plus VAT) towards legal fees incurred in connection with his departure and to outplacement support with a maximum value of up to £10,000 (plus VAT).

The information contained in this statement is provided in accordance with section 430(2B) of the Companies Act 2006 and it will be made available on the Company's website.

 

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