ALM.L Regulatory News (ALM)

15 JANUARY 2016

Allied Minds plc (the "Company" or the "Group")

Directorate Change

Appointment of Independent New Non-Executive Director

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Jill Smith, Former Chairman, CEO and President of DigitalGlobe Inc, today joins the Board of Directors at Allied Minds as an Independent Non-Executive Director, bringing a wealth of expertise to help oversee the Company's growing portfolio of life-science and technology companies as they commercialize innovations from top U.S. universities and federal research institutions.

Allied Minds' digital and technology businesses will benefit from Ms. Smith's experience at DigitalGlobe, a provider of satellite imagery products and services to governments and companies world-wide. As Chairman, CEO and President, she led DigitalGlobe's successful growth and expansion and took it public in 2009.

As an international business leader for over 25 years, including 16 years as CEO of private and public companies in the technology and information services markets, Ms. Smith is well-placed to advise Allied Minds' growing portfolio of subsidiaries.

Ms Smith will serve on the Audit Committee.

Boston (January 15, 2016) - Allied Minds (LSE: ALM), an innovative U.S. science and technology development and commercialization company, today announced the appointment, effective immediately, of Jill Smith, the former Chairman, CEO and President of DigitalGlobe Inc. (NYSE:DGI), to its Board as an Independent Non-Executive Director. At DigitalGlobe Inc., Ms. Smith delivered over five-fold revenue growth in her nearly 6 years as CEO through market diversification and international expansion. She grew DGI's market capitalization to more than $1.5 billion, and took the company public in 2009. Under her leadership, DGI also won a multi-billion dollar contract, the largest in its history, with the US Government, successfully launched two next generation satellites and established DigitalGlobe as a global leader in earth imagery and geospatial solutions.

Previously, Ms. Smith served as President and CEO of eDial, Inc, a private VoIP collaboration company, and of SRDS, L.P. a private business-to-business publishing company. Prior to this, she also served as COO of Micron Electronics, Inc. setting the multi-billion dollar PC business on a path to profitable growth and leading preparations for the IPO of the hosting subsidiary, HostPro. She co-founded Treacy & Company LLC, a consulting and boutique investment business in 1995. In 1985, Smith started her career at Bain & Company, a global management consulting firm, where she worked in London and Boston and rose to Partner before leaving to join Sara Lee Corporation in Paris, France, as Vice President in the personal products group.Ms. Smith currently serves on the board of Endo International (NASDAQ: ENDP) a global specialty pharmaceutical company, and Hexagon (NASDAQ Stockholm: HEXA B) a leading provider of information technologies and geospatial solutions. She also serves on the board of JM Huber, a global leader in engineered materials, and several private companies serving the information and technology markets. 

Her distinctive expertise is in global expansion and business transformation, helping companies at various stages of growth develop strategies and deploy resources to exploit market opportunities. This will be a valuable asset for Allied Minds as it continues to expand and develop its portfolio of companies engaged in commercializing innovations developed at top U.S. academic and federally funded research institutions. 

Chris Silva, Chief Executive Officer of Allied Minds, commented:

"We welcome Jill to the Board at this important time in Allied Mind's growth. As many of our high tech subsidiaries approach commercialisation, her experience in developing strategies for establishing and capturing markets, especially at innovative and fast growing businesses, will be extremely valuable. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our expanding portfolio and we look forward to working with her as we take the Group into the next phase of its development."

Jill Smith commented:

"I am very excited to be joining Allied Minds at what is clearly a transformational time for the Company. I look forward to working with the Board and the management team to help to deliver the next phase of growth."As noted above, Ms. Smith has held directorships in two publicly quoted companies during the previous five years, including Endo International (NASDAQ: ENDP), and Hexagon (NASDAQ Stockholm: HEXA B). Ms. Smith will serve as a member of the Audit Committee. Jeffrey Rohr (Chair) and Rick Davis will also continue to serve as members of the Audit Committee. There are no further details in relation to Ms. Smith's appointment which require disclosure pursuant to paragraph 9.6.13 of the Listing Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority.

More information about Allied Minds can be found at www.alliedminds.com. About Allied MindsAllied Minds (LSE: ALM) is an innovative U.S. science and technology development and commercialization company. Operating since 2006, Allied Minds forms, funds, manages and builds products and businesses based on innovative technologies developed at leading U.S. universities and federal research institutions. Allied Minds serves as a diversified holding company that supports its businesses and product development with capital, central management and shared services. More information about the Boston-based company can be found at www.alliedminds.com