Appointment of Independent Non-Executive Director

RNS Number : 3312H

Angling Direct PLC

05 April 2022

 

05 April 2022

Angling Direct plc

("Angling Direct" or "Company" or "Group")

Appointment of Independent Non-Executive Director

Angling Direct plc (AIM: ANG), the leading omni-channel specialist fishing tackle and equipment retailer, is pleased to announce the appointment of Chris Keen as an Independent Non-Executive Director, effective immediately. Chris will also serve on the Company's Audit Committee.

Chris brings more than 20 years of experience in various Chief Financial Officer roles, with a focus on scaling up businesses operating both domestically and internationally and across a variety of sectors including retail and leisure.

Chris is currently CFO at McKesson UK, part of McKesson Corporation, a global leader in healthcare supply chain management solutions, retail pharmacy, community oncology and specialty care and healthcare information solutions. Between 2012 and 2019, Chris was CFO of Holland & Barrett, a leading health and wellness product retailer, where he oversaw a number of key acquisitions across Europe, driving the group's international growth strategy and expanding its omni-channel proposition.

Prior to joining Holland & Barrett, between 2006 and 2012, Chris was CFO at The Laurel Pub Company (latterly the Stonegate Pub Company), helping to build the business into the largest privately held managed pub operator in the UK with over 500 units. In 2012 Chris was appointed CFO of the Bramwell Pub Group to oversee the financial restructuring of the business.

Chris is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

Martyn Page, Non-Executive Chairman of Angling Direct, commented:

"On behalf of the Board, I am delighted to welcome Chris to Angling Direct. His extensive financial and omni-channel leadership experience, particularly in the retail sector, will be invaluable as we strengthen our Board. We look forward to working with Chris as the Group looks to achieve further progress in 2022 and capitalise on the compelling growth opportunities that exist across our end markets."

Chris Keen, Non-Executive Director of Angling Direct, commented:

"I am extremely pleased to be joining the Board of Angling Direct. The Group is on an exciting growth trajectory, having recently opened its European distribution centre and I look forward to using my experience to contribute to its continued success."  

For further information please contact:

Angling Direct plc via FTI Consulting Andy Torrance, Chief Executive Officer Steven Crowe, Chief Financial Officer Singer Capital Markets - NOMAD and Broker [phone] Peter Steel (Corporate Finance) Alex Bond (Corporate Finance) Tom Salvesen (Corporate Broking) FTI Consulting - Financial PR [phone] Alex Beagley Alice Newlyn Sam Macpherson [e-mail]

The following information regarding the appointment of Christian ('Chris') Keen, aged 57, is disclosed under Schedule 2(g) and Rule 17 of the AIM Rules for Companies:

As at the date of this announcement, Mr Keen owns 9,600 ordinary shares of one penny each in Angling Direct, representing 0.01% of the Company's issued share capital.

Current Directorships	Previous Directorships (within the last five years)
2012 Dream Limited	A.C. Ferguson (Chemist) Limited
28CVR Limited	AAH Furb Pension Trustee Limited
30MC Limited	AAH Glass & Windows Limited
A. Suthrell (Haulage) Limited	AAH Lloyds Pension Trustees Limited
AAH Builders Supplies Limited	AAH Nominees Limited
AAH Limited	Atlas Travel Clinic Limited
AAH One Limited	Beaumonts Health Stores Limited
AAH Pharmaceuticals Limited	Blackstaff Pharmaceuticals Limited
AAH Twenty Four Limited	Caronet Trading Limited
AAH Twenty Limited	Good 'N' Natural Limited
AAH Twenty Six Limited	Health & Diet Centres Limited
Acme Drug Co. Limited	Health & Diet Food Company Limited
Added Marketing Limited	Holland & Barrett (Benelux) Limited
Admenta Holdings Limited	Holland & Barrett Group Limited
Admenta UK Limited	Holland & Barrett Holdings Limited
Alchem (Southern) Limited	Holland & Barrett International Limited
Ayrshire Pharmaceuticals Limited	Holland & Barrett Limited
Baillieston Health Centre Pharmacy Limited	Holland & Barrett Retail Limited
Bannister & Thatcher Limited	IPCC Limited
Barclay Pharmaceuticals (Atherstone) Limited	L1R HB Finance Limited
Barclay Pharmaceuticals Limited	L1R HB Holdings Limited
Barley Chemists Holdings Limited	L1R HB Limited
Barry Shooter (Romford) Limited	L1R HB Midco Limited
Beauty Care Drug Stores Limited	L1R HB Midco Sub Limited
Berkshire Medical Supplies Ltd.	Lifecycle 2018 Limited
Betterlifehealthcare Limited	LP Clinical Homecare Group Limited
Big Pharma Limited	M.H. Gill Limited
Bridport Medical Centre Services Limited	Mount Pharmacy Limited
Clark Munro Limited	Neal's Yard Wholefoods Limited
Clark-Care Group Limited	Nutrition Warehouse Limited
Cross and Herbert (Devon) Limited	Paul Wheeler Limited
Cross and Herbert (Holdings) Limited	Precision Engineered Limited
Cross and Herbert Limited	R. Gordon Drummond Limited
Eclipse Healthcare Limited	Thurnby Rose Limited
Escon (St. Neots) Limited
Evolution Homecare Services Limited
Expert Health Limited
Farillon Limited
Firth and Pilling Limited
Foster & Plumpton Group Limited
Foster & Plumpton Limited
G K Chemists Limited
G. K. Chemists (Glos). Limited
George Staples (Stoke) Limited
GPL 2007 Limited
Graeme Pharmacy (Stirling) Limited
Greens Pharmaceuticals (Holdings) Limited
H.H. Thatcher Limited
Health Needs Limited
Healthclass Limited
Herbert Ferryman Limited
Higgins & Son (Chemists) Limited
Hill-Smith (Warrington), Limited
Hywel Davies (Caerphilly) Limited
Independent Pharmacy Care Centres (2008) Limited
Inspiron Distribution Limited
J. Bradbury (Surgical) Limited
J.S.Dent Limited
John Bell & Croyden Limited
John Hamilton (Pharmaceuticals) Limited
Keen Consulting Limited
Kingswood Chemists Limited
Kingswood-GK Limited
Kyle and Carrick Holdings Limited
Levelcrown Limited
Linford Pharmacies Limited
Livingston Health Centre (P.D.) Co. Limited
Lloyds Chemists Limited
Lloyds Chemists Retail (Northern) Limited
Lloyds Chemists Retail Limited
Lloyds Group Properties Limited
Lloyds Pharmacy Clinical Homecare Limited
Lloyds Pharmacy Limited
Lloyds Properties Limited
Lloyds Retail Chemists Limited
LPL One Limited
M. Payne & Co. Limited
Masta Limited
Medical Advisory Services For Travellers Abroad Limited
Medimart Limited
Metabolic Healthcare Holdings Limited
Metabolic Healthcare Limited
Munro Pharmacy Limited
New Kirk Pharmacy Limited
Optimed Health Limited
Palemoda Limited
Peel Street Pharmacy Limited
Pharmagen Limited
Philip Goodman Limited
Pimelight Limited
Prescribing Support Services Ltd
Prima Brands Limited
R.F. Foskett & Son Limited
Sangers (Northern Ireland) Limited
Savory & Moore Limited
Scholes (Chemists) Limited
Statim Finance Limited
Superfield Limited
T. and I. White Limited
Uscita Limited
W. Jamieson (Chemists) Limited
W.H. Chanter Limited
W.H. Green (Chemists) Limited
Westclose Limited
Woodside Pharmacy (Glasgow) Limited

The table below shows information on The Laurel Pub Company Limited and certain of its affiliated entities, which all entered administration on 27 March 2008 while Chris Keen was a director:

Company	Date entered Creditors Voluntary Liquidation	Date dissolved	Deficit to creditors (£million)
Forno Vivo Limited	27 March 2009	3 October 2012	3.93
Ha! Ha! Bar & Canteen Limited	27 March 2009	30 September 2012	36.33
Laurel Pub Bidco Limited	27 March 2009	29 August 2012	205.16
Santa Fe Group Limited	27 March 2009	30 September 2012	1.76
Santa Fe Limited	27 March 2009	30 September 2012	10.25
Target Pil Core Limited	28 September 2009	27 July 2012	14.03
The High Street Bar & Restaurant Group Limited	27 March 2009	3 October 2012	7.22
The Laurel Pub Company Limited	28 September 2009	29 January 2013	95.02
Yates Brothers Limited	27 March 2009	3 October 2012	13.93
Yates Group Limited	28 September 2009	3 January 2013	83.65
Yates's Wine Lodges Limited	28 September 2009	9 November 2012	24.44

Mr Keen was also a director of Laurel High Street Bars Limited, Laurel High Street Estate Pubs Limited, The Manor Leisure and Marketing Corporation Limited and Yates's Duty Free Limited (also affiliates of The Laurel Pub Company Limited) at the time that these companies entered administration in March 2008. These companies were subsequently moved from administration to dissolution in June 2009.  

Mr Keen resigned as a director of Bramwell Pubs and Bars Limited in November 2012 which entered administration in October 2013, creditors voluntary liquidation on 7 May 2015 and was then dissolved on 9 May 2017. The deficit to creditors was £55.69 million.

Mr Keen resigned as a director of Bramwell Company Limited in November 2012 which entered administration in October 2013 and was then dissolved on 30 July 2014. The deficit to creditors was £48.95 million.

Save as set out above there are no further disclosures pursuant to Rule 17 or Schedule Two paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules for Companies in respect of the appointment of Mr Keen.

About Angling Direct

Angling Direct is the leading omni-channel specialist fishing tackle retailer in the UK. The Company sells fishing tackle products and related equipment through its network of retail stores, located strategically throughout the UK as well as through its leading digital platform (www.anglingdirect.co.uk .de, .fr and .nl) and other third-party websites.

Angling Direct is committed to supporting its active customer base and widening access to the angling community through its passionate colleagues, store-based qualified coaches, social media reach and ADTV YouTube channel. The Company currently sells over 20,000 fishing tackle products, including capital items, consumables, luggage and clothing. Angling Direct also owns and sells fishing tackle products under its own brand 'Advanta', which was formally launched in March 2016.

From 1986 to 2002, the Company's founders acquired interests in a number of small independent fishing tackle shops in Norfolk and, in 2002, they acquired a significant premise in Norwich, which was branded Angling Direct. Since 2002, the Company has continued to acquire or open new stores, taking the total number up to 42 retail stores. In 2015, the Company opened a 2,800 sq. metres central distribution centre in Rackheath, Norfolk, where the Company's head office is also located. In March 2022, Angling Direct opened a 3,940 square metre distribution centre in Venlo, Netherlands to service its established, and rapidly growing, presence in Europe with native language websites set up in key regions to address demand.

 

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