Appointment of Chairman

RNS Number : 0943C

Watches of Switzerland Group PLC

14 October 2020

 

Watches of Switzerland Group PLC

Appointment of Chairman

Watches of Switzerland Group PLC ("the Group") is today pleased to announce the appointment of Ian Carter as non-executive Chairman of the Board with effect from 1 November 2020.

Ian brings over 30 years of international and retail experience to the Group, having held a number of senior positions at UK and US consumer-facing and luxury companies.  For the last 15 years Ian has been with Hilton Worldwide, joining Hilton International as CEO in London in 2005.  He was an integral part of the senior team that took Hilton Worldwide private and then public in 2013.  Hilton Worldwide now has over 6,000 hotels across 13 brands including the luxury brands of Waldorf Astoria and Conrad and operates in over 120 countries around the world.  Prior to joining Hilton, Ian served as an Officer and President of Black & Decker Corporation.

Ian has lived and worked in Europe, Asia and for the last 14 years in the US.

In addition, Ian has significant non-executive experience having served on a number of boards in the UK and the US, including Burberry Group PLC between 2007 and 2019 where he further developed a deep knowledge and appreciation of the global luxury industry.

Tea Colaianni, Senior Independent Director, has today taken over as Interim Chair and will continue in this role until Ian joins the Board.

Tea Colaianni, Interim Chair, said:

"Following a thorough global search process, the Board is delighted to welcome Ian to Watches of Switzerland Group as non-executive Chairman.

Ian's wealth of commercial, business and board experience and knowledge of the consumer, retail and luxury sectors in particular in the US and the UK will be a valuable asset for the Group as it enters the next phase of strategic growth."

Ian Carter said:

"I could not be more excited about joining the team at this time.

After a very successful IPO the opportunities for further growth are outstanding and most importantly, the team led by Brian is clearly energized and focused on delivering world class luxury retail experiences.

I look forward to working with the Board and Management to further build upon this success."

The Group confirms that there is no further information to be disclosed under the requirements of Listing Rule 9.6.13R in relation to the appointment.

Contacts

 

The Watches of Switzerland Group

Anders Romberg, CFO   [phone]

Allegra Perry, Investor Relations  [phone]

[e-mail]  

Headland

Lucy Legh / Rob Walker  [phone]

[e-mail]  

About the Watches of Switzerland Group

The Watches of Switzerland Group is the UK's largest luxury watch retailer, operating in both the UK and US, comprising four prestigious brands; Watches of Switzerland (UK and US), Mappin & Webb (UK), Goldsmiths (UK) and Mayors (US), with complementary jewellery offering.

The Watches of Switzerland Group has 135 core stores across the UK and US (which includes 22 dedicated mono-brand stores in these two markets in partnership with Rolex, TAG Heuer, OMEGA and Breitling) and has a leading presence in Heathrow Airport with representation in Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5 as well as five transactional websites.

The Watches of Switzerland Group is proud to be the UK's largest retailer for Rolex, Cartier, OMEGA, TAG Heuer and Breitling watches.

Mappin & Webb holds Royal warrants as goldsmiths, silversmiths and jeweller to Her Majesty The Queen and silversmiths to His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. The Mappin & Webb master jeweller has been Crown Jeweller, custodian of the Crown Jewels of Her Majesty The Queen since 2012.

https://www.thewosgroupplc.com

Disclaimer

This trading statement does not constitute an invitation to underwrite, subscribe for, or otherwise acquire or dispose of any Watches of Switzerland Group PLC shares or other securities nor should it form the basis of or be relied on in connection with any contract or commitment whatsoever. It does not constitute a recommendation regarding any securities. Past performance, including the price at which the Company's securities have been bought or sold in the past, is no guide to future performance and persons needing advice should consult an independent financial adviser.

Certain statements in this trading statement constitute forward-looking statements. Any statement in this document that is not a statement of historical fact including, without limitation, those regarding the Company's future plans and expectations, operations, financial performance, financial condition and business is a forward-looking statement. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, among other factors, changing economic, financial, business or other market conditions. These and other factors could adversely affect the outcome and financial effects of the plans and events described in this statement. As a result you are cautioned not to place reliance on such forward-looking statements. Nothing in this statement should be construed as a profit forecast.

The information contained within this announcement is deemed to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014. Upon the publication of this announcement, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.

 

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