M&C Saatchi Proposed Board Changes

RNS Number : 8261U

M&C Saatchi PLC

30 March 2023

 

30 March 2023

M&C SAATCHI PLC

(the "Company" or "M&C Saatchi")

Proposed Board Changes

M&C Saatchi is pleased to announce the proposed appointment of Zillah Byng-Thorne as independent Non-Executive Chair following a thorough search process, managed by Lisa Gordon, Senior Independent Non-Executive Director.

Zillah's appointment is expected to be effective from 15 June 2023, subject to the completion of normal regulatory due diligence by the Company's Nomad. She will succeed Gareth Davis as Chair following his retirement from the Board at the close of this year's annual general meeting to be held in June.

Zillah has been the Chief Executive Officer of magazine publisher and online media company Future plc for nine years and announced she was stepping down from that role with effect from 31 March 2023.

Zillah brings a wealth of experience across media and technology businesses, including having most recently been Chief Executive Officer of Future plc. She is currently Chair of Trustpilot Group plc and has served on the Boards of Flutter Entertainment plc, GoCompare and Auto Trader.

Lisa Gordon, Senior Independent Non-Executive Director, has notified the Board that she does not intend to seek re-election to the Board and will therefore step down from the Board at this year's annual general meeting.

The Board also confirms the proposed appointment of Chris Sweetland as a Non-Executive Director to the Board, expected to be effective from 15 June 2023, subject to the completion of normal regulatory due diligence by the Company's Nomad. Chris will serve as a representative of AdvancedAdvT Limited and Vin Murria who hold in aggregate 27,237,985 ordinary shares in the Company, representing 22.2 per cent. of the Company's issued share capital. Accordingly, Chris will not be considered to be independent. Chris was previously the Deputy Group Finance Director of WPP Group and is currently a Non-Executive Director at TPX Holdings plc and Unlimited Marketing Group, a private equity-owned marketing services group.  Chris will be entitled to remain on the Board provided AdvancedAdvT Limited and Vin Murria retain an aggregate interest of at least 11.5 per cent. of the Company's issued share capital.

The Board is also pleased to announce that it has completed its search process for a permanent Chief Financial Officer that included both internal and external candidates, and Bruce Marson, the current interim Chief Financial Officer, will be appointed to the Board as the permanent Chief Financial Officer. This will take effect following completion of normal regulatory due diligence by the Company's Nomad. Bruce has previously held senior finance roles across the sector including at Dentsu and Technicolor.

Lisa Gordon, outgoing Senior Independent Non-Executive, commented :

"I am delighted that we have attracted someone of Zillah's calibre to chair the Board. She has a tremendous track record in business and brings great digital and transformation expertise at an important point in M&C Saatchi's growth journey. Following the successful completion of this process, now is the right time for me step down after three remarkable years. It's been a privilege to have been part of the M&C Saatchi story."

Zillah Byng-Thorne, incoming Chair, commented :

"M&C Saatchi is a fantastic organisation with the combination of brilliant brands and hugely talented people, and I am delighted to join at this pivotal time. I look forward to working with the Board to deliver the next stage of growth. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Lisa for her tremendous contribution to the business."

Further announcements confirming the appointments on completion of customary regulatory due diligence checks and disclosing information in respect of Schedule 2(g) of the AIM Rules will be made when appropriate.

For further information please call: M&C Saatchi plc	[phone]
Gareth Davis, Chair Moray MacLennan, Chief Executive Officer
Numis Securities	[phone]
Nick Westlake, Iqra Amin
Liberum, NOMAD	[phone]
Tim Medak, Mark Harrison, Max Jones, Benjamin Cryer, Will King
Brunswick	[phone]
Sumeet Desai, Andrew Porter, Kate Pope

 

END

 

 

BOAJMMJTMTAJBAJ