Directorate Change

RNS Number : 9593U

Smith (DS) PLC

04 January 2012

 



DS Smith Plc - Change of Chairman

DS Smith Plc announces that Peter Johnson has decided to step down as Chairman and resign from the Board.  Peter Johnson joined the Board of DS Smith Plc as a non-Executive Director in 1999 and became Chairman in 2007 and the Board had for some time been planning for his retirement during 2012.  Gareth Davis, who has been acting Chairman since October 2011 and has been a non-Executive Director of DS Smith Plc since June 2010, will become Chairman of the Board and of the Nominations Committee with immediate effect.  Gareth Davis was previously Group Chief Executive of Imperial Tobacco PLC and is Chairman of both Wolseley plc and William Hill PLC.  

Chris Bunker, Senior non-Executive Director of DS Smith Plc said "On behalf of the Board and the Company, I would like to thank Peter for his immeasurable contribution to DS Smith. He has led the business through a period of transformation, and the business is in an excellent position to grow and develop further as a result.  The Board is delighted that Gareth has agreed to succeed him as Chairman and lead the Company through this next exciting stage of growth."

Matthew Jowett

Group General Counsel and Company Secretary

4 January 2012

Enquiries

DS Smith Plc              01628 583 400

Miles Roberts               Group Chief Executive

Steve Dryden               Group Finance Director

Rachel Stevens             Head of Investor Relations

Tulchan                       020 7353 4200

John Sunnucks

David Allchurch

James Macey White

 

END

 

 

BOABKQDPABKKCDK