Directorate Change

RNS Number : 9939W

Dunelm Group plc

08 February 2012

8 February 2012

Dunelm Group plc ("Dunelm")

Board Appointment

Dunelm, the leading out-of-town specialist homewares retailer, is pleased to announce the appointment of Matt Davies as a Non-Executive Director, with immediate effect. Matt will chair the Audit Committee and will become a member of the Remuneration and Nominations Committees.

Matt has been Chief Executive of Pets at Home since 2004 having joined the business as Group Finance Director in 2001. During his time at Pets at Home he has developed the business significantly, organically through new store openings, through services, and by e-commerce.

Prior to Pets at Home Matt was Finance Director of a distribution business within Caudwell Communications before which he worked in mergers & acquisitions. Matt began his career at Arthur Anderson where he qualified as a chartered accountant in 1995.

In searching for an additional Non-Executive Director to join the Board, the Nominations Committee set out a number of criteria, consistent with Dunelm's strategy and likely development. Matt matches these criteria very closely:

· Strong relevant experience in retail or similar business;

· A current, working executive, familiar with the challenges of operating management;

· Experience of the strategy and practical application of branding and marketing in a retail business;

· Relevant financial experience to chair the Audit Committee, but not only having had financial roles;

· Awareness of the particular culture of entrepreneurial led businesses, and of the challenges they face with rapid growth.

The Board also had regard to the requirement to achieve a diversity of characters, backgrounds and experiences amongst Board members. In particular, notwithstanding that there has been female representation on the Board since 2004, it asked its nominated search advisor to prioritise the presentation of suitably qualified women. Although they were equally represented on our shortlist, Matt was clearly the best candidate.

Chairman of Dunelm, Geoff Cooper said:

"I am delighted to welcome Matt to the Board of Dunelm. He was clearly the best candidate from a strong and diverse shortlist of candidates. His knowledge of retail, his demonstrable track record at Pets at Home, as well as his strong financial background, mean that his contribution to the Board will be significant and will go well beyond the role of Audit Committee chair. I very much look forward to his contribution."

No disclosures are required under LR 9.6.14 with respect to the appointment.

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