28 Mar 2014 07:02
March 28, 2014
Anglo Pacific Group PLC
Board Changes
Anglo Pacific Group PLC (the "Company" or "Anglo Pacific") (LSE: APF) (TSX: APY) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Mike Blyth as Non-executive Chairman with effect from April 1, 2014. Mr. Blyth has been a Non-executive Director of the Company since March 2013. He succeeds Mr. Brian Wides, who has been serving as Acting Chairman since December 2012.
Mr. Blyth has had a distinguished career as a Chartered Accountant with extensive experience in audit and corporate governance matters.
Mr. Wides is to continue in his role as Executive Director of International Business Development until this year's Annual General Meeting (or earlier by mutual agreement), when he is to retire from the Board. He will then continue in a part-time consulting role for six months to ensure an effective handover of his responsibilities.
The Company also announces the retirement from the Board of Dr. John Whellock, Non-executive Director, and Mr. Michael Atkinson, Senior Independent Director, both with effect from this year's Annual General Meeting.
The proposed changes are intended to refocus the Company's Board and will result in it being comprised of four Non-executive Directors (including the Chairman) and two Executive Directors. Furthermore, the Company is conducting a process to appoint a new Senior Independent Director, which will be announced during the second quarter.
Julian Treger, Chief Executive Officer, commented: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank Brian, John and Michael for their contributions to the Company. Brian has served as an Executive Director of Anglo Pacific since 1997, which has included spending four years as Chief Executive Officer. During his career here, Brian has seen the Company transform into the successful mining royalty company it is today. John and Michael, who have served as Non-executive Directors since 2003 and 2006 respectively, have provided valuable advice in challenging and developing the Company's strategy."
Brian Wides, current Acting Chairman, commented: "During my career at Anglo Pacific, I am pleased to have seen the Company develop its portfolio of royalty investments and achieve its mission to become an established and well-regarded royalty company. I am delighted to hand over my responsibilities to Mike and have every confidence that he, and the rest of the team, will lead Anglo Pacific into a new period of growth."
Mike Blyth commented: "I am privileged to succeed Brian as Chairman of Anglo Pacific, a company that I have followed for many years and have got to know well since joining the Board. I look forward to engaging more directly with shareholders and to working with the management team to continue the growth of the Company."
For further information:
Anglo Pacific Group PLC +44 (0) 20 3435 7400
Julian Treger - Chief Executive Officer
Georgia Vranaki - Head of Marketing and Investor Relations
Website: www.anglopacificgroup.com
Liberum Capital +44 (0) 20 3100 2000
Chris Bowman / Ryan de Franck
BMO Capital Markets Limited +44 (0) 20 7664 8121
Jeffrey Couch / Neil Haycock / Tom Rider
Bell Pottinger +44 (0) 20 7861 3232
Nick Lambert / Lorna Cobbett
Notes to editors:
About Anglo Pacific
Anglo Pacific is a global mining royalty company. The Company's vision is to create a leading international diversified royalty company with a focus on base metals and bulk materials. The Company's strategy is to build a diversified portfolio of royalties, focusing on accelerating income growth through acquiring royalties in cash or near-term cash producing assets. It is an objective of the Company to pay a substantial portion of these royalties to shareholders as dividends.