Directorate Change

RNS Number : 0259P

Unite Group PLC

19 October 2012

 

Press Release 19 October 2012

THE UNITE GROUP PLC

('UNITE', the 'Group', or the 'Company')

UNITE APPOINTS ANDREW JONES AS NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The UNITE Group plc, the UK's largest developer and manager of student accommodation, today announces the appointment of Andrew Jones as a Non-Executive Director of the Company, with effect from 1 February 2013. He has been appointed to the Board as part of an orderly succession plan to replace Stuart Beevor, currently UNITE's Senior Independent Director, who will be stepping down from the Board in May 2013 following nine years' service.

Andrew Jones is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Metric Property Investments plc, a company that was successfully listed on the London Stock Exchange in March 2010.  Previously, Andrew was an Executive Director and head of retail at The British Land Company PLC ('British Land'), where he was responsible for its entire retail portfolio including responsibility for fund advisory roles in relation to specialist retail property investment funds.  Andrew joined British Land in July 2005 as a result of its acquisition of Pillar Property plc, where he was also on the main board with responsibilities for shopping centres, retail park investment and asset management.

No further details remain to be disclosed, as required under LR 9.6.13R of the listing rules of the UK Listing Authority.

Phil White, Chairman at UNITE, commented:

"Andrew has extensive experience of property and corporate finance, both in the quoted and unquoted sectors, providing an excellent fit with many elements of UNITE's business.  His expertise will be invaluable as we  seek to extend our competitive advantage in the student accommodation sector."

Andrew Jones added:

"UNITE has a market leading position in the UK student accommodation sector and, following the creation of the London Student Accommodation Joint Venture, is now embarking on another period of growth. I look forward to using my knowledge of property and fund management and an in-depth understanding of consumers to support UNITE in its ongoing expansion and customer focus."

- Ends -

Notes to Editors

For more information please contact:

UNITE Sally Quigg, [e-mail] Sophie Joyce, [e-mail]	0117 302 7070 0117 302 7326
FTI Consulting Stephanie Highett Dido Laurimore Faye Walters [e-mail]	020 7831 3113

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 which it owns a 16.3% share. UNITE also manages a number of Joint Venture partnerships.

2.         Professional property management: UNITE is home to some 41,000 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).

For more information, please visit www.unite-group.co.uk or www.unite-students.com.  

 

END

 

 

BOAFFUFDAFESESS