Board Update

Team17 Group PLC

22 August 2023

 

22 August 2023  

Team17 Group plc

("Team17" or the "Company")

Board Update

Team17, a global games label, creative partner, developer and publisher of independent ("indie") premium video games, educational entertainment apps for children and working simulation games, announces that, having been with the Company since its successful IPO in 2018, Chris Bell, Non-Executive Chair, has decided to step down from his role at the end of the year to focus on his other business interests.

The Company is pleased to announce that Frank Sagnier has been appointed Non-Executive Chair designate and will formally join the Company on 6 September 2023. Chris will continue in his role until 31 December 2023, working with Frank to facilitate an orderly handover. Frank will officially assume the role of Chair from 1 January 2024 upon Chris' departure.

Frank brings over 25 years of gaming sector experience to the Board, having held plc, private equity and senior roles with Codemasters, Electronic Arts, Acclaim Entertainment, Double Fusion, and Funcom. Frank began his career in advertising at Grey before moving to marketing roles at Warner Bros. Entertainment and Acclaim Entertainment. In 1999, he joined Electronic Arts ("EA"), where he was responsible for marketing and third-party game development and publishing across Europe.

In 2014, Frank was appointed CEO of Codemasters. During his tenure he led the transformation  and  restructuring of the business, building one of the most iconic racing games development studios and publishers of the F1 racing brand, before leading the company's successful IPO in 2018. Codemasters was later acquired by EA in 2021, in a deal worth $1.2bn.

Frank will Chair the Nomination Committee and be a member of the Audit and Remuneration Committees.

Debbie Bestwick MBE, CEO of Team17, said:

"I would like to personally thank Chris for his exceptional support and guidance to myself and the  Board throughout his time as Chair, during which he presided over a period of significant financial and operational growth. We wish Chris all the very best in the future.

"I extend a very warm welcome to Frank. Frank is one of the most respected gaming executives globally in video games, his knowledge is second to none, but equally his leadership and experience in the gaming world will bring huge value to the Board as we prepare for the next stage.

"I have known Frank for a number of years and have always been impressed by his passion for gaming, creators and knowledge of our sector. Frank also brings strong M&A experience that the group will benefit from. Frank's appointment significantly strengthens the Board's gaming pedigree."

Frank Sagnier, Chair of Team17, added:

"I have long admired how Debbie has built Team17 through her drive, determination, deep understanding of all aspects of the business and her unique ability to discover and nurture talent. Debbie has created significant shareholder value over three decades. In the last few years, she has built a strong leadership team to scale the company behind the Team17's proven business model.  I am delighted Debbie will remain on the board. I am looking forward to working with Steve, Mark, the exec team and the Board to further build on Team17's exceptional foundations, to ensure the Group continues to achieve its strategic ambitions; delivering exceptional games for players and solid returns for shareholders."

Save for the below, there is no further disclosure required with regard to Schedule Two paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules for Companies:

Frank Theodore Sagnier, aged 60, holds or has held in the past 5 years the following directorships and partnerships:

Current:	Past five years:
nDreams Ltd	Codemasters plc
Steel City Interactive Limited	Focus Entertainment SA
Paula Sagnier Limited	Dovetail Games Limited

Enquiries:

Team17 Group plc Debbie Bestwick MBE, Chief Executive Officer Mark Crawford, Chief Financial Officer	via Vigo Consulting
Houlihan Lokey UK Limited (Nominated Adviser) Adrian Reed / Tim Richardson	[phone]
Berenberg (Joint Corporate Broker) Ben Wright / Toby Flaux / Marie Moy / Alix Mecklenburg-Solodkoff	[phone]
Peel Hunt (Joint Corporate Broker) Neil Patel / Paul Gillam / Richard Chambers / James Smith	[phone]
Vigo Consulting (Financial Public Relations) Jeremy Garcia / Fiona Hetherington / Kate Kilgallen [e-mail]	[phone]

About Team17

Team17 Group plc is a global provider of games entertainment to a broad audience. The Group now includes a games entertainment label and creative partner for indie developers, a leading developer of educational apps, targeting children under the age of eight and a leading working simulation games developer and publisher.

Visit www.team17.com for more info.

 

END