Directorate Change

RNS Number : 1199T

Unite Group PLC

01 December 2011

 



1 December 2011

THE UNITE GROUP PLC

("UNITE" / "Group" / "Company")

UNITE APPOINTS MANJIT WOLSTENHOLME AS NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND CHAIR DESIGNATE OF AUDIT COMMITTEE

The UNITE Group plc, the UK's leading developer and manager of student accommodation, today announces the appointment, with immediate effect, of Manjit Wolstenholme as an additional Non-Executive Director of the Company and Chair Designate of its Audit Committee. It is anticipated that she will become Chair of the Audit Committee immediately following the 2012 AGM when Nigel Hall, currently Chairman of that Committee, will step down from the Board after more than nine years.

Manjit, 47, is a chartered accountant, having qualified with Coopers & Lybrand (now PricewaterhouseCooper). In 1990, she joined the corporate finance department of Kleinwort Benson, being promoted to director in 1998 and to COO in 1999. In 2003 she left Kleinwort Benson and in 2004 she became a partner in Gleacher Shacklock, the corporate finance boutique. In 2006, Manjit decided to relinquish executive responsibilities and embark on a new career as a non-executive.

She was appointed to the board of Capital & Regional plc, the shopping centres and retail parks property specialist, as a non-executive director and as chair of its audit committee and, in 2007, Manjit joined the board of Provident Financial plc, again as a non-executive director and chair of its audit committee. In 2010, Manjit became a non-executive director of Albany Investment Trust plc, becoming its chairman in 2011 whilst, in the same year, she became senior independent director and chair of the remuneration committee of Future plc, a special-interest media company. Manjit is also a Governor of Manchester Academic Health Science Centre.

Phil White, Chairman of UNITE, commented: "Manjit is an impressive and committed Non-Executive Director and we are very pleased she has agreed to join our Board. UNITE is focusing on growth and extending its market-leading position, and Manjit's skills and experience are exactly what we need to support our business through some exciting times."                                                        

Manjit Wolstenholme added: "I have had a very positive experience of UNITE in my dealings thus far with the company, and I am excited about joining the Board of this market leading business that is operating in a growth market."                                                                                   

No further information is required to be disclosed pursuant to Listing Rule 9.6.13 R.

ENDS

For further details, please contact:

The UNITE Group plc Paul Harris Sally Quigg	Tel: [phone]
FTI Consulting Stephanie Highett Dido Laurimore Toyah Simpson	Tel: [phone]

About The UNITE Group 

The UNITE Group is the UK's leading developer and manager of student accommodation, with a business model that focuses on two core areas:

1.   Development and Asset Management: UNITE undertakes the acquisition, planning and development of purpose-built student accommodation in the UK. Through the continuous assessment of quality and location of its investment portfolio, UNITE is well positioned to deliver value-adding strategies to those assets where further opportunities are identified. Working on behalf of its partners, UNITE acts as Fund Manager for the UNITE UK Student Accommodation Fund in addition to being 16.3% shareholders. UNITE also manages a number of Joint Venture partnerships.

2.   Professional property management: UNITE is home to some 40,000 students and has consistently proven high occupancy levels across its portfolio.

UNITE works closely with universities and colleges, in order to deliver high quality, well-located student accommodation at affordable prices in strong higher education markets.  

Founded in 1991, UNITE is listed on the London Stock Exchange (UTG).

www.unite-group.co.uk

www.unite-students.com

 

END

 

 

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