Board Changes

RNS Number : 9415S

Hilton Food Group PLC

23 March 2016

 

 23 March 2016

Hilton Food Group plc

Board Changes

Hilton Food Group plc ("Hilton" and "Group") announces changes to its Board of Directors.

John Worby and Christine Cross have been appointed as Non-Executive Directors with effect from 22 March 2016 and background information is given below. Both John and Christine will join the Nomination, Audit and Remuneration Committees. Their appointments are to replace Chris Marsh who leaves the Board on 27 March 2016 and Sir David Naish who will leave the Board at the conclusion of the Company's annual general meeting on 25 May 2016 both having completed nine year terms with Hilton.

Upon Chris' departure Christine Cross will be appointed chair of the Remuneration Committee and Colin Smith will become the Senior Independent Director.

Upon Sir David's departure Colin Smith will be appointed Chairman of the Board and Nomination Committee. Accordingly he will step down as chair of the Audit Committee and John Worby will be appointed into this position and also will become the Senior Independent Director.

John Worby is a Chartered Accountant with a wealth of experience in public companies and the food sector. He was Group Finance Director at Genus plc retiring in 2013 and previously was Group Finance Director and Deputy Chairman of Uniq plc. John currently holds Non-Executive Directorships at Fidessa Group plc and Carr's Group plc and formerly was a Non-Executive Director at Cranswick plc and Connect Group plc. John is also a member of the Financial Reporting Review Panel.

Christine Cross was originally a food scientist before devoting the 14 years to 2003 with Tesco in senior roles focusing on own brand, non-food and global sourcing. She has since worked globally with a wide range of food and non-food retailing businesses and currently holds Non-Executive Directorships with Sonae SGPS SA (Portugal), Brambles Limited (Australia), Kathmandu Holdings Limited (New Zealand) and several private companies as well as numerous advisory roles. Former Non-Executive Director positions were held until recently with Next plc and Woolworths Limited (Australia).

There is no information required to be disclosed under LR 9.6.13R (2) to (6) in respect of John Worby or Christine Cross.

Commenting on the changes Robert Watson, Chief Executive said:

"On behalf of the Board I would like to thank Sir David and Chris who have made significant contributions to Hilton during its transition to a public company and its subsequent successful growth. They leave with our very best wishes and I am delighted that Sir David will continue to contribute to the Group as an advisor in agricultural matters.

We welcome John and Christine to Hilton at an exciting time in its development."

Commenting Sir David Naish, Chairman said:

"It has been a privilege to serve Hilton as Non-Executive Director and Chairman and I wish Robert, Colin and the team every success in the future."

In accordance with LR 6.4.2R Hilton confirms its Home State is the United Kingdom.

Enquiries:

Hilton Food Group plc	Tel: [phone]
Robert Watson OBE, Chief Executive
Citigate Dewe Rogerson	Tel: [phone]
Angharad Couch

Notes for Editors

Colin Smith joined the Hilton Food Group in 2010 as a Non-Executive Director and has extensive experience in the food and distribution industry. A Chartered Accountant, he was at Safeway plc for 20 years in senior finance roles including Finance Director and for the last six years as Chief Executive. Colin has held a number of board and advisory roles in the industry including the Chairmanship of Assured Food Standards and board adviser to Natures Way Foods. He was previously a Non-Executive Director of McBride plc and Chairman of Poundland Holdings Limited for 10 years until 2012 and thereafter a Non-Executive Director for a further two years before retiring in 2014. He is currently Chairman of the social enterprise The Challenge Network. Colin is Chairman of the Audit Committee.

 

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