Non-Executive Director Changes
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For Immediate Release 25 March 2026
CVS Group plc
("CVS", the "Company" or the "Group")
Non-Executive Director Changes
CVS, the UK listed veterinary group and a leading provider of veterinary services, is pleased to announce the appointment of Helen Keays and Jane Bednall as Independent Non-Executive Directors with effect from 1 April 2026, the retirement of Deborah Kemp with effect from 30 June 2026 and a change in Chair of the Group's Nomination Committee.
Retirement of Deborah Kemp
Deborah Kemp, who joined the board in January 2018 and who is presently Senior Independent Director and Chair of the Remuneration Committee will retire and step down from the Board and all board committees on 30 June 2026.
Appointment of Helen Keays
Helen Keays is presently an Independent Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Remuneration Committee at Nichols plc following an executive career in consumer-facing multi-site businesses across retail, mobile telecommunications and retail financial services. Helen has worked at Vodafone plc, latterly as General Manager of Singlepoint, and previously at Sears plc. Helen has previously been an Independent Non-Executive Director of The Restaurant Group, Domino's Pizza UK & Ireland, Communisis plc, Majestic Wine plc, Mattioli Woods plc and Chrysalis Group plc. Helen is an experienced Non-Executive Director and Remuneration Committee Chair and will add value to the board through her expertise in people development, consumer marketing and CRM.
From the date of her appointment, Helen Keays will become Chair Designate of the Remuneration Committee and will also become a member of the Group's Audit and Risk Committee and Nomination Committee. Helen will formally become Chair of the Remuneration Committee with effect from 1 July 2026.
Appointment of Jane Bednall
Jane Bednall is presently an Independent Non-Executive Director of Fuller Smith & Turner plc and Independent Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Remuneration, People and Culture Committee for The Kings Cross Group, appointed on behalf of AustralianSuper, Australia's largest pension fund. This follows an executive career in senior leadership roles at British Airways, InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG), Centrica and most recently SSE plc where she was Chief Marketing Officer and formerly Managing Director of Retail Energy. Jane was previously Non-Executive Director of DFS plc, EI Group plc and Smart Energy GB. Jane will add value to the board through her experience in multi-site retail and leisure businesses and her expertise in branding, consumer behaviour and insights.
From the date of her appointment, Jane will become a member of the Group's Remuneration Committee, Audit and Risk Committee and Nomination Committee.
Change in Nomination Committee Chair
David Wilton, Chair of CVS, will succeed Richard Gray as Chair of the Nominations Committee with effect from 1 April 2026.
David Wilton, CVS Chair commented:
"On behalf of the board, I am delighted to welcome Helen Keays and Jane Bednall to CVS and I look forward to working with them. Helen and Jane will strengthen the board through their extensive knowledge and experience in developing consumer propositions and in marketing across a range of client facing businesses.
"I would also like to record my profound thanks to Deborah Kemp for her support and for the significant contribution she has made to CVS over the past nine years. Deborah joined the Board in January 2018 as Non-Executive Director and has served as Senior Independent Director, Remuneration Committee Chair, Employee Engagement Director and, for a period of six months, Interim Chair. Deborah has played an important governance role in support of the Group's considerable expansion and will be missed."
The Company confirms that there is no further information about Helen Keays or Jane Bednall requiring disclosure under paragraphs 6.4.8R (1) to (6) of the FCA UK Listing Rules.
ENDS
Contacts
CVS Group plc via Camarco
Richard Fairman, Chief Executive Officer
Scott Morrison, Group Legal Counsel and Company Secretary
Camarco (Financial PR)
Ginny Pulbrook cvsg@camarco.co.uk
Tilly Butcher +44 (0)20 3757 4980
Letaba Rimell
About CVS Group plc (www.cvsukltd.co.uk)
CVS Group is a leading provider of veterinary services, operating in the UK and Australia, listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange. CVS is focused on providing high-quality clinical services to its clients and their animals, with outstanding and dedicated clinical teams and support colleagues at the core of its strategy.
The Group operates over 475 veterinary practices across its two territories, including specialist referral hospitals and dedicated out-of-hours sites. Alongside the core Veterinary Practices division, CVS operates Laboratories (providing diagnostic services to CVS and third-parties) and an online retail business ("Animed Direct").
The Group employs 9,000 personnel, including 2,500 veterinary surgeons and 3,300 nurses.
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