ABM.L Regulatory News (ABM)

8 Jul 2009 15:03



ALBEMARLE & BOND HOLDINGS PLC

("Albemarle & Bond" or "the Company")

DIRECTORATE CHANGES

Albemarle & Bond, the United Kingdom's largest pawnbroking business with 115 branches, announcesthe appointment of Joseph Rotunda and Thomas Roberts as non-executive directors of the Company with immediate effect. They replace Allan Edwards and Philip E. Cohen, who have today resigned from the Company's board of directors.

Joseph Louis Rotunda (62) is the President and Chief Executive Officer of EZCORP, Inc., a market leader in the specialty consumer finance industry in the USA.  Since appointment to that role in August 2000, Mr. Rotunda has led EZCORP from a loss position to net income in excess of $60 million for the twelve months ended 31 March 2009. During that time, EZCORP has grown from 332 to 898 locations and realized significant stock price appreciation. EZCORP's shares are traded on NASDAQ. EZCORP owns 29.6% of Albemarle & Bond's issued share capital and Mr. Rotunda beneficially owns 703,630 shares (approximately 1.5%) of EZCORP's Class A Non-Voting Common Stock. Mr. Rotunda also serves as a director of Easyhome Limited, a public company that trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Thomas Craig Roberts (67) has been a director of EZCORP, Inc. since January 2005. He is EZCORP's senior independent director and was the chairman of its audit committee from January 2005 to November 2008. Mr. Roberts owns 32,000 shares (approximately 0.07%) of EZCORP's Class A Non-Voting Common Stock. Since 1990, Mr. Roberts has been a private investor and is currently the chairman of the board and chairman of the trust committee of Pensco, Inc., a financial services company. From 1985 until 1989, he was a director and the president of Control Data Computer Systems and Services. From 1970 to 1985, Mr. Roberts was with Schlumberger, Ltd., where he served in several senior executive positions, including Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from 1977 to 1979 and President of worldwide electronics operations from 1979 to 1985.

There is no other information to be disclosed pursuant to Schedule 2 paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules for Companies.

Commenting on the changes, Charles Nicolson, Chairman of Albemarle & Bond, said, "I am delighted to welcome Joe and Tom to the Board and know they will enhance our shareholder representation.  Both have a track record of strategic, management, and operational success, and their knowledge of our industry will be invaluable.  We have every expectation that their experiences and business acumen will result in sound advice and counsel that will help fuel our continued growth."

Mr. Nicolson concluded, "We are also appreciative of the time and valuable contributions that Phil and Allan have made over the years."

Enquiries:

Dated: 8 July 2009