Management Appointments in the UK and US

RNS Number : 9311Q

Walker Greenbank PLC

24 October 2019

 

24 October 2019

RNS REACH

WALKER GREENBANK PLC

("Walker Greenbank" or the "Company")

Management appointments in the UK and US

Walker Greenbank PLC (AIM: WGB), the luxury interior furnishings group, confirms three key appointments to its Group Leadership Team in the UK and the appointment of a new President & CEO of WG Inc., the Company's US subsidiary.

The three UK appointments comprise Mauricio Solodujin as Global Commercial Director; Nigel Hunt as Group Marketing & Digital Director; and Ben Naylor as Group Operations Director. The appointments form a key part of Walker Greenbank's strategy to drive the growth of its brands and to secure operational efficiency within its business.

Mauricio Solodujin, who recently started his role at the Company, has an international track record in luxury goods and the retail sector. He joined Walker Greenbank from LVMH, where he had worked for almost 10 years in roles including Senior Vice President of LVMH Fashion Group Americas, based in the US, and Retail & Commercial Director of Loewe, based in Spain. Mauricio's previous experience includes more than 10 years at Liberty of London, where he was Director of Operations. In the role of Walker Greenbank's Global Commercial Director, Mauricio will work across all brands, markets and channels to drive sales growth at the Company.

Nigel Hunt, a highly experienced marketing executive, joins the Company in November 2019 as Group Marketing & Digital Director. He joins from Tesco Bank, where he held the role of Brand, Marketing & Corporate Affairs Director. Prior to Tesco Bank he worked at Barclays bank for 17 years in various commercial and marketing roles including Director Global Brand & Marketing at Barclays PLC. At Walker Greenbank, Nigel will be brand custodian and will develop and implement strategic marketing plans across the Company's portfolio.

Ben Naylor will take up the role of the Company's Group Operations Director in January 2020. During Ben's most recent role at Amtico International, the luxury floorcoverings business, he has built a track record in manufacturing, procurement and logistics and a focus on cost, quality and service. Prior to Amtico, where he has worked for the past 13 years, he was at Uniq Prepared Foods and Unipart. In the role of Walker Greenbank's Group Operations Director, Ben will be responsible for driving strategy and operational efficiencies from the Company's manufacturing and supply chain.

In the US, Beth Holman, a highly experienced luxury goods executive, started this month as President & CEO of WG Inc., the Company's US subsidiary. She joined the Company from Celine New York, where she was Vice President of Wholesale for the past three years. Prior to Celine, she was at Roberto Cavalli New York for six years as Vice President of Sales, Retail and Wholesale. She has previously worked for brands including Alberta Ferretti, Moschino and Christian Dior. As President & CEO of WG Inc., Beth will be central to the success of the Company in the US, one of the three key geographic regions that form the focus of the Company's growth strategy.

Lisa Montague, Walker Greenbank's Chief Executive Officer, said: "I am delighted to welcome these four key executives to Walker Greenbank to support the Company's growth strategy. Mauricio Solodujin, Nigel Hunt and Ben Naylor will join our Group Leadership Team, based in the UK. All three have excellent track records and I look forward to their contribution to the business. I am also excited to welcome Beth Holman to her important role in the US as President and CEO of WG Inc., our US subsidiary. The US is one of the three key geographies, including the UK and Northern Europe, on which we are focusing our growth strategy."

For further information:

Walker Greenbank PLC	[phone]
Lisa Montague, Chief Executive Officer Mike Gant, Chief Financial Officer Caroline Geary, Company Secretary
Investec Bank plc (Nominated Adviser and Broker)	[phone]
David Anderson / Alex Wright - Corporate Finance
Henry Reast / Richard Short - Corporate Broking
Buchanan	[phone]
Mark Court / Toto Berger / Charlotte Slater

Notes for editors:

About Walker Greenbank

Walker Greenbank PLC is a luxury interior furnishings company that designs, manufactures and markets wallpapers, fabrics and paints. In addition, the Company derives significant licensing income from the use of its designs on a wide range of interior products such as bed linen, rugs and tableware.

Walker Greenbank's brands include Zoffany, Sanderson, Morris & Co, Harlequin, Scion and Clarke & Clarke.

The Company has a strong UK manufacturing base, comprising a wallpaper factory in Loughborough and a fabric printing factory in Lancaster. Both factories manufacture for the Company and for other wallpaper and fabric brands.  

Walker Greenbank employs more than 650 people and its products are sold in more than 85 countries worldwide. It has showrooms in London, New York, Chicago, Paris and Dubai.

Walker Greenbank trades on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol WGB.

For further information please visit: www.walkergreenbank.com   

 

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