Board Changes and Implementation of LTIP

RNS Number : 7399T

Personal Group Holdings PLC

18 December 2012

 



Press Release

18 December 2012

Personal Group Holdings plc

("Personal Group", the "Company" or "Group")

Board Changes

Long Term Incentive Plan Implemented

Board Changes

Personal Group Holdings plc (AIM:PGH), a leading provider of employee benefits and financial services, is pleased to announce  the appointment (subject to FSA approval) of Mike Dugdale (aged 51) to the Board as Chief Financial Officer, with effect from 2 January 2013. 

Mike has considerable experience across a variety of sectors, in particular healthcare and financial services.  Having begun his career at Ernst & Whinney in 1983, Mike became International Finance Director of Reebok International Limited in 1994, and in his roles as Group Financial Controller and subsequently Finance Director at Bupa for eight years, Mike successfully negotiated major contracts, implemented a corporate pricing model that achieved an over 50% increase in profitability, and improved overall operational performance.  Most recently, Mike was Finance Director of Virgin Care Limited, where he was responsible for all financial and information management of this rapidly growing business. 

Mark Scanlon, Chief Executive of Personal Group, commented:  "We are delighted to welcome Mike to the Board; his experience and drive will prove invaluable to the Group and we look forward to working alongside him."

John Barber, Finance Director, continues as a Board Member and Company Secretary, with Mike having overall financial responsibility for the Group. 

The Board also announces that Christopher Johnston, Non-Executive Director, will retire from the Board with effect from 18 December 2012. 

Christopher Johnston commented:  "Having sold a portion of my holding in the Company and still holding a substantial shareholding in Personal Group, I am excited about the future for the business under the leadership of the new and very capable management team and the opportunities that lie ahead for the Company." 

Chris Curling, Chairman of Personal Group, commented "The Board would like to thank Christopher for his tireless efforts since founding the Group in 1984.  His contribution to Personal Group has been outstanding and we look forward to further developing the business, with Christopher as a significant shareholder." 

Long Term Incentive Plan Implemented

The Company is also pleased to announce that it has implemented a Long Term Incentive Plan ("LTIP") which has been established to reward directors and certain other senior employees in a way that aligns the interests of LTIP participants with the interests of shareholders as well as with the Group's long-term strategic plan.

Awards granted under the LTIP are conditional rights to receive either shares or (at the discretion of the Remuneration Committee) an equivalent cash payment determined by reference to increases in the market capitalisation value of the Company as at certain vesting dates, by comparison with that value as at (in most cases) the individual's commencement of employment. No consideration will be paid for the grant of any awards.

Awards are measured over a five year period and are subject to continued employment with the Company. Awards will normally vest on a sliding scale between years 2 and 5. The maximum aggregate value of all awards to all participants under the LTIP is 10 per cent. of the increase in market capitalisation value of the Company during the period of the LTIP.

On 17 December 2012, Mark Scanlon, Chief Executive Officer, was granted an award under the LTIP. Mark will be entitled to 5 per cent. of the increase in market capitalisation value of the Company, subject to the terms of the LTIP.  In addition, Mike Dugdale will also be awarded LTIP on the same basis as Mark, at a level of 1 per cent.

Directorships and Partnerships held by Mr. Dugdale in the last five years:

	Actagent Limited
	BM Leasing (1992) Limited
	BM Leasing (1994) Limited
	Bupa Health Assurance Limited
	Bupa Health at Work Limited
	Bupa Health Dialog Limited
	Bupa Insurance Limited
	Bupa Insurance Services Limited
	Bupa Occupational Health Limited
	Bupa Travel Services Limited
	Bupa Trustees Limited
	Bupa Wellbeing Limited
	Bupa Wellness Group Limited
	CHP Limited
	Community Hospital Partnership Limited
	Core Exercise Clinics Limited
	Human Capital Resources Limited
	Independent Healthcare Limited
	Lighten Up Limited
	Mercia Health Benefits Services Limited
	Mercia Investment Advisers Limited
	Occupational Health Care Limited
	Personal Effectiveness Centre Limited

Save for the information disclosed above there is no other information falling to be disclosed on Mr Dugdale under Schedule 2(g) of the AIM Rules.

- ENDS -

For more information please contact:

Personal Group Holdings Plc
John Barber, Financial Director	[phone]

Cenkos Securities Plc
Max Hartley	[phone]

Media enquiries:

Abchurch Communications
Joanne Shears/ Harriet Rae	[phone]
[e-mail]	www.abchurch-group.com

Notes to editors:

Personal Group Holdings Plc (AIM: PGH) is a leading provider of employee benefits and financial services, established in 1984.

The group primarily provides tailored employee benefits programmes to businesses throughout the UK. These programmes include insurance products such as hospital and convalescence plans, death benefit and income protection plans; lifestyle benefits such as holiday and retail discounts; flexible benefit programmes; a range of tax efficient benefits such as childcare vouchers; and employee assistance programmes. The group generates the majority of its revenue through the underwriting of hospital and convalescence plans.

Through its expertise in producing, communicating and implementing successful benefit solutions, the group has helped over 400 leading UK companies recruit, retain and motivate the best people. In total the group provides access to benefits for 1.2 million employees, and clients include 3663, Brake Bros, Home Retail Group, Northumbrian Water Limited, Pirelli, Starwood Hotels, TNT, UK Mail, Regatta, Road Chef and Vinci Construction.

The group boasts considerable financial strength, with a track record of profitable growth since 1986, as well as a strong pipeline of new business. For the year to 31 December 2011 the group reported revenue of £27.5 million, and an annualised value of new business generated of £8.2 million. With a strong balance sheet and a progressive dividend policy, Personal Group's vision is to be the provider of choice in employee benefits and financial services. The group's development to date has been achieved principally through strong organic growth.

Personal Group is headquartered in Milton Keynes, was floated on AIM in 2000 and today employs over 160 people.

For further information, go to www.personal-group.com.

 

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