27 Nov 2008 07:00
27 November 2008
Arena Leisure Plc
Board Appointment
New Non-Executive Director
The Board of Arena Leisure Plc ("Arena" or "the Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Andrew Page as a Non-Executive Director, with effect from 1 December 2008 and, with effect from 1 January 2009, Chairman of the Audit Committee.
Coinciding with this new appointment, Martin McGann will retire from his position as Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee at Arena, with effect from 31 December 2008.
Andrew, 50, is Chief Executive Officer of The Restaurant Group plc ("TRG"), a listed company operating around 350 restaurants and pub restaurants, primarily in leisure locations and airports, in the United Kingdom. TRG's principal brands are Frankie & Benny's, Chiquito, Blubeckers, Brunning & Price, TRG Concessions and Garfunkel's. Andrew previously served as TRG's Finance Director.
Prior to joining The Restaurant Group, Andrew held a number of senior positions in the leisure and hospitality sector including Senior Vice President of InterContinental Hotels Group and Group Finance Director of Hanover International plc. Prior to that, he spent six years with Kleinwort Benson's Corporate Finance Department, having trained and qualified as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG.
Raymond Mould, Chairman of Arena, said:
"On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Martin McGann for his work at Arena since joining the Board in June 2006 and his contribution to the Company's development over that time. I wish him well in his future career.
"I am extremely delighted that Andrew has agreed to join the Board of Arena. He brings a wealth of experience to Arena both to the technical role of Audit Committee Chairman, but more importantly, with his extensive experience of the UK restaurant and hotel sectors. The latter skills are an extremely valuable addition to the Company as our new catering division and the construction of our 116-bedroom Marriott hotel at Lingfield Park continue to progress."
There are no further details to be disclosed under the Continuing Obligations provisions of the Listing Rules (new rules LR9.6.13).
For further information please contact:
Arena Leisure Plc:
Mark Elliott, Chief Executive Tel: 020-7632-2080
E-mail: contact@arenaleisureplc.com
Bell Pottinger Corporate & Financial:
David Rydell / Olly Scott Tel: 020-7861-3232
www.arenaleisureplc.com