Directorate Changes

RNS Number : 8561O

Worthington Group PLC

06 July 2010

 



Worthington Group plc ("Worthington" or the "Company")

Directorate Changes

Worthington Group plc announces that Anthony Cooke and Peter Townsend, a Director of a division of Regenesis Holdings Limited, a 14.1% shareholder in Worthington, have been appointed to the Board of the Company with immediate effect.

Anthony R Cooke (62) has been appointed Non-Executive Chairman of Worthington. He has worked as a financial professional in the City of London for over 20 years, in both corporate and investment banking. For 12 years he was an international corporate and sovereign debt lender for Wells Fargo Bank and for Crocker National Bank where he became General Manager of the EMEA region. He subsequently moved into stockbroking and equity corporate finance for a period of 10 years. During this time he provided financial advice, led flotations and helped to raise equity finance for a wide range of companies in the UK, Australia and in Eastern Europe. He was also Corporate Finance Director of Societe Generale Emerging European Markets, a stockbroking company conducting business in Eastern Europe. He has also served as Vice Chairman of a Community and Mental Health NHS Trust.

Peter Townsend (48) has been appointed Chief Executive Director of the Company. Peter has worked within banking, predominantly within Lombard North Central where he was involved with both consumer and corporate finance including a period within the credit sanction and quality control departments. He subsequently became the finance director and company secretary of the £120 million turnover L+C Group. Peter ultimately took the lead role in the sale of L+C Group to Inchcape Plc in 2002. More recently, following the failure of Chariot UK to establish a successful national lottery, Peter was appointed by shareholders to secure the survival of the company and to negotiate the terms of a major new investment which he achieved successfully.

Worthington further announces that Joe Dwek CBE, currently Chairman of the Company, is to step down from the Board on 31 August 2010 to allow for a period of transition for the incoming directors.

Additionally, Michael Edelson, currently Non-Executive Director of the Company, is to resign from the Board with immediate effect. David Shalom will remain on the Board as Finance Director.

In line with the Company's previously stated investment strategy, Worthington will continue to seek suitable acquisition opportunities.

Commenting on the directorate changes, Joe Dwek CBE, Chairman of the Company, said: "We are very pleased to welcome Anthony and Peter to the Board. Their combined experience and business contacts, together with the support of Regenesis Holdings, will help prepare the Company to seek suitable acquisition opportunities. We would also like to thank Michael Edelson for his efforts and support as a Non-Executive Director of Worthington over a number of years."

There are no matters requiring disclosure under paragraph 9.6.13 of the Listing Rules.

6 July 2010

Enquiries:

David M Shalom

Finance Director

Worthington Group plc

Tel: [phone]

Website: www.worthingtongroupplc.co.uk

 

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