FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, 7th February 2020
Pets at Home Group Plc, the UK's leading pet care business, today announces the conclusion of the process announced at the Interim results in November 2019, to appoint a successor to outgoing Non-Executive Chairman Tony DeNunzio. After an extensive external and internal search process the board is pleased to announce Ian Burke to the appointment of the role.
Ian has been chair of Studio Retail Group plc since 2017 and is also a non executive senior independent director of intu properties plc, where he has been a member of various board committees since 2018. Ian has extensive board experience; past board positions include CEO of Thistle Hotels, Chair of the privately owned veterinary group Vet Partners, and a long tenure on the board at Rank Group plc. as non executive chair, executive chair and CEO.
Tony will stay in role in order to ensure an orderly handover to Ian who will assume his new position at the start of the new financial year.
Peter Pritchard, Group Chief Executive Officer, commented:
Over the last 10 years, Tony has been an exceptional chair overseeing our transition from a private business to a listed company. More recently he has supported our business in implementing the strategic plan to become "The World's Best Pet Care Business", bringing everything together for the pet owner, driven by data and insight. Our recent performance is reflective of the progress we are making by focusing on our core capabilities and differences. We will miss Tony and thank him for his enormous contribution, his wise counsel and above all his friendship. We all wish him well for the future. I'm delighted to welcome Ian, as our new Chairman, and look forward to working alongside him as we continue to deliver our exciting strategy.
This disclosure is given in accordance with Listing Rules 9.6.11 and 9.6.13.
Investor Relations Enquiries
Pets at Home Group Plc:
Roger Tejwani, Director of Investor Relations & External Communications
+44 (0)161 486 6688
Jonny Armstrong, Head of Investor Relations
+44 (0)161 486 6688
Gillian Hammond, Head of Media & Public Affairs
+44 (0)161 486 6688
Maitland/AMO:
Clinton Manning, Joanna Davidson
+44 (0)20 7379 5151
Pets at Home Group Plc is the UK's leading pet care business; our commitment is to make sure pets and their owners get the very best advice, products and care. Pet products are available online or from our 453 stores, many of which also have vet practices and grooming salons. Pets at Home also operates a UK leading small animal veterinary business, with 440 First Opinion practices located both in our stores and in standalone locations, as well as four Specialist Referral centres. For more information visit: http://investors.petsathome.com/
This trading statement does not constitute an invitation to underwrite, subscribe for, or otherwise acquire or dispose of any Pets at Home Group Plc shares or other securities nor should it form the basis of or be relied on in connection with any contract or commitment whatsoever. It does not constitute a recommendation regarding any securities. Past performance, including the price at which the Company's securities have been bought or sold in the past, is no guide to future performance and persons needing advice should consult an independent financial adviser.
Certain statements in this trading statement constitute forward-looking statements. Any statement in this document that is not a statement of historical fact including, without limitation, those regarding the Company's future plans and expectations, operations, financial performance, financial condition and business is a forward-looking statement. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, among other factors, changing economic, financial, business or other market conditions. These and other factors could adversely affect the outcome and financial effects of the plans and events described in this statement. As a result you are cautioned not to place reliance on such forward-looking statements. Nothing in this statement should be construed as a profit forecast.