Appointment of Chief Executive Officer

RNS Number : 8302J

Genus PLC

22 August 2019

 

For Immediate Release                                                                                                           22 August 2019

Genus plc
('Genus', or the 'Company')

Appointment of Chief Executive Officer

Genus plc (LSE: GNS), a leading global animal genetics company, announces that Stephen Wilson, currently Group Finance Director, has been appointed by the Board as Chief Executive with effect from the close of business on 13 September 2019. This follows the announcement of 25 March 2019 that Karim Bitar will be stepping down from the Board and taking up the position of Chief Executive of another company.

Stephen has been with Genus since January 2013 and already has a very strong and deep understanding of Genus and has been an integral part of the team in the successful strategic and operational development of the Group in recent years, as it has continued to grow and strengthen its position as a world leader in animal genetics. Stephen was by far the strongest candidate for the role following a review of both external and internal candidates managed by an external search agency.

Stephen's current finance responsibilities will be undertaken by Janet Duane, currently Group Financial Controller on an interim basis. A search for a permanent replacement Group Finance Director has already been initiated by an external agency.

Bob Lawson, Chairman of Genus, commented on Stephen's appointment;

"Genus is extremely fortunate to have such a strong individual in Stephen Wilson to fill the role of Chief Executive. Stephen has already had  significant strategic and operational input in the development of Genus and no one knows the business better than him.

"We are delighted that Stephen will drive Genus through the next stage of our continued growth, and it is clear that Genus is, and will continue to be, in strong hands."

Genus	Tel: [phone]
Bob Lawson, Chair
Stephen Wilson, Group Finance Director
Buchanan	Tel: [phone]
Charles Ryland /Chris Lane/Sophie Wills

This announcement is available on the Genus website www.genusplc.com

About Genus

Genus is a world-leading animal genetics company. Genus creates advances to animal breeding and genetic improvement by applying biotechnology and sells added value products for livestock farming and food producers. Its technology is applicable across livestock species and is currently commercialised by Genus in the dairy, beef and pork food production sectors.

Genus's worldwide sales are made in over seventy-five countries under the trademarks 'ABS' (dairy and beef cattle) and 'PIC' (pigs) and comprise semen, embryos and breeding animals with superior genetics to those animals currently in farms. Genus's customers' animals produce offspring with greater production efficiency, and quality, and use these to supply the global dairy and meat supply chains.

The Group's competitive edge has been created from the ownership and control of proprietary lines of breeding animals, the biotechnology used to improve them and its global supply chain, technical service and sales and distribution network.

With headquarters in Basingstoke, United Kingdom, Genus companies operate in over twenty-five countries on six continents, with research laboratories located in Madison, Wisconsin, USA.

Regulatory Notes

Details of any payments to be made to Stephen Wilson will be disclosed in full in the Company's 2019 Directors' Remuneration Report.  Any such terms will be consistent with the Company's approved Directors' Remuneration Policy.

This announcement is made in accordance with Listing Rule 9.6.11R.   There are no matters to be disclosed in connection with Listing Rule 9.6.13R (2) - (6).

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation 596/2014.  The person responsible for making this announcement on behalf of the Group is Dan Hartley (General Counsel and Company Secretary).

As noted, Janet Duane will be appointed the Company's interim Group Finance Director.  Given the interim nature of the role, Janet will not be appointed as an executive Director of the Company, but will be treated as a person discharging managerial responsibility.

 

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