Board Changes and AGM Update

Comptoir Group PLC

26 June 2024

 

26 June 2024

Comptoir Group Plc

("Comptoir", the "Group" or the "Company")

Board Changes and AGM Update

Comptoir Group Plc (AIM: COM), the owner and operator of Lebanese, Middle Eastern and North African inspired restaurants, announces the following changes to the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"):

·      Dr Beatrice Lafon, Non-Executive Chair, has resigned from the Board with effect from 26 June 2024 to pursue other business interests.

·      Jean-Michel Orieux, Non-Executive Director since August 2022, will succeed Dr Lafon as Chair of the Board with immediate effect.

·      Ali Aneizi is appointed to the Board as a Non-Executive Director with immediate effect. Ali has extensive sector and professional services experience spanning almost 30 years. He was formerly a Corporate Finance Partner and Co-Head of Leisure & Hospitality at RSM (previously Baker Tilly) where he spent 18 years, prior to establishing Tamweel Capital in 2013. Tamweel Capital is an M&A and private equity advisory business focused exclusively on advising best in class, challenger brands across the leisure, hospitality and wider consumer sectors.

In accordance with paragraph (g) of Schedule Two of the AIM Rules for Companies, further information on Ali Aneizi is set out at the end of this announcement.

Following these changes, the Board consists of two Executive Directors and two Independent Non-Executive Directors (including the Chair).

AGM Update

Following Dr Lafon's resignation, she will not seek re-election at the Annual General Meeting ("AGM") being held later today. As the Company's Notice of AGM has already been issued, the Company confirms that the resolution to reappoint Dr Lafon as Non-Executive Chair of the Company (resolution number four) will not be proposed to the AGM.

The withdrawal of resolution number four does not otherwise affect the validity of the Notice of AGM, the proxy form or any proxy votes already submitted on other proposed resolutions. The numbering of all other proposed resolutions at the AGM will remain unchanged.

Commenting on the Board changes, Nick Ayerst, CEO, said:

"I would like to thank Beatrice for her considerable contribution to Comptoir during an important period of evolution for the Group, and especially for her role in the rebuilding of key business foundations which suffered during Covid, the development of our current strategy and the recruitment and induction of our new senior management team. On behalf of the Comptoir team, I would like to wish Beatrice every success in her other ventures.

I am delighted that Ali will be joining our Board. He brings extensive professional expertise and deep industry knowledge having worked in the sector for many years, he will add real value to the future direction of the Company."

Jean-Michel Orieux, Non-Executive Chair, said:

"The Board and Comptoir team sincerely thank Beatrice for her leadership, challenge and contribution as Chair these past two years. Her vision and dedication were instrumental in shaping our business transformation and we have full confidence in her continued success.

Having worked closely with Beatrice in the last two years, I am confident that the business will transfer smoothly to the change of Chair and new board composition."

Enquiries:

Comptoir Group plc Jean-Michel Orieux, Non-Executive Chair Nick Ayerst, CEO	via Camarco
Cavendish Capital Markets Limited (Nominated Adviser and Broker) Simon Hicks Abigail Kelly	020 7220 0500
Camarco (Media Contact) Jennifer Renwick Letaba Rimell	[e-mail]

About Comptoir Group

Comptoir Group PLC owns and operates 29 restaurants, six of which are franchised, based predominately in the UK. The flagship brand of the group, Comptoir Libanais is a collection of 23 restaurants located across London and nationwide, including cities such as Manchester, Bath, Birmingham, Oxford and Exeter.

The name Comptoir Libanais means Lebanese Counter and is a place where guests can eat casually and enjoy Middle Eastern and North African food, served with warm and friendly hospitality, just like back home.

The Group also operates Shawa, serving traditional shawarmas through a counter service model in Westfield and Bluewater shopping centres, Yalla-Yalla near Oxford Circus, and entertainment venue Kenza, located in Devonshire Square, London.

The group has expanded internationally with its franchise partners, with restaurants in the Netherlands, Qatar, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Italy.

Regulatory Disclosures (in accordance with Rule 17 and Schedule Two paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules for Companies)

Save for the information set out above and below, there are no further disclosures to be made in accordance with Rule 17 and Schedule Two paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules for Companies in respect of the appointment of Ali Aneizi, aged 49.

Current Directorships/Partnerships	Past Directorships/Partnerships (within 5 years)
Tamweel Capital Ltd
Oppidan Apartments Management Limited

Mr Aneizi does not hold any interest in the Company's issued share capital.

 

END