12 December 2008
M J GLEESON GROUP PLC
Board Changes
Resignation of Paul Wallwork as Group Chief Executive
Gleeson (GLE.L), the urban regeneration and strategic land specialist, announces the resignation of Paul Wallwork as Group Chief Executive with effect from 31 December 2008.
Paul Wallwork, ACA, BA (Hons), 46, was appointed to the Board in January 2006 as Group Finance Director. He was appointed Group Chief Executive in January 2007 having previously served as Interim Group Chief Executive since July 2006. He previously held senior financial and management roles with Inchcape plc and senior financial roles with Brent International plc.
Dermot Gleeson, Non-executive Chairman, stated 'I would like to thank Paul for his strong and energetic leadership of the Gleeson Group through an extremely challenging period. He has ensured that the Group is well placed to meet the tough challenges faced by all housebuilders in the current market conditions.'
Appointment of Group Chief Executive
Gleeson is pleased to announce the appointment as Group Chief Executive, with effect from 1 January 2009, of Chris Holt who, since 1 May 2007, has been Group Finance Director and prior to that held the position of Interim Group Finance Director from August 2006.
Nicholas Christopher Holt, BSc, MBA, CIMA, 57, has obtained a wealth of financial and management experience at senior level with internationally renowned businesses, namely Foster Wheeler (1987-2005) and Bechtel (1975-87).
Dermot Gleeson, stated 'As Group Finance Director, Chris has made a hugely important contribution to the successful restructuring of the Group, and his skills and experience mean that he is very well equipped to provide the effective leadership that Gleeson will continue to need in an exceptionally difficult economic environment.'
Appointment of Group Finance Director
To replace Chris Holt, Gleeson is pleased to announce the appointment of Alan Martin as Group Finance Director with effect from 1 January 2009. Alan is currently Group Financial Controller, a position he has held since November 2006.
Alan Martin, BSc (Hons), ACA, 42, qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1990, following which he joined Price Waterhouse where he specialised in corporate recovery in both London and Sydney, Australia. Assignments included secondment as Advisor to National Australia Bank. In 2000, he joined Psion PLC, where he held a number of senior management roles, the most recent being Group Financial Controller.
Alan Martin has held no directorship in any other publicly quoted company at any time in the previous five years and there are no details to be disclosed under paragraph 9.6.13 R of the Listing Rules.
Dermot Gleeson stated 'I am delighted that Alan has joined the Board to which he has the potential to make an extremely valuable contribution.'
Enquiries:
M J Gleeson Group plc 01252 360300
Chris Holt (Group Chief Executive, Designate)
Alan Martin (Group Finance Director, Designate)
Bankside Consultants Limited
Charles Ponsonby 020 7367 8851