ARL.L Regulatory News (ARL)

21 Mar 2006 07:01

SMC Group Plc21 March 2006 21 March 2006 For immediate release SMC Group Plc ("SMC" or "the Group") Directorate Change Appointment of Finance Director and resignation of Executive Director SMC Group Plc, one of the UK's leading groups of architects and designers, ispleased to announce the appointment of Robert Boardman as Group Finance Directorwith immediate effect. Robert has extensive financial, transaction and accounting experience. Prior tojoining SMC, he was Finance Director of Stanelco Plc, Before his time atStanelco Robert was Finance Director of Durlacher Corporation Plc (now PanmureGordon & Co Plc) and he also held senior finance and commercial roles withAltium Capital Limited and Arthur Andersen. Aged 33, Robert qualified as a chartered accountant with Arthur Andersen in1997, having previously gained his BA Hons in History from the University ofManchester in 1994. SMC also announces the resignation from the Board of David Pedley with immediateeffect. Mr Pedley will remain with the Group as a consultant until 30 June 2006. Commenting on the resignation and appointment, Stewart McColl, Chief Executivesaid;"We are delighted to welcome Robert to the Board of SMC. He brings considerablefinancial and professional experience to the Group and his appointment is apositive step forward for the Company. His acquisitions and city experience inparticular will be important to the Company as it continues to execute itsstrategy. I'd also like to thank David for the considerable contribution he hasmade to the Company's development and his valuable service over the years andspecifically throughout the process of our admission to AIM. The Board wisheshim every success in the future." -ends- For further information please contact: SMC Group Plc Tel: 44 (0)20 7495 5335Stewart McColl Noble & Company Limited Tel: 44 (0)20 7763 2200Matthew Hall Bell Pottinger Tel: 44 (0)20 7861 3232David Rydell/Geoff Callow Appendix In accordance with Schedule 2(g) of the AIM Rules, the following information inrelation to the appointment of Robert Boardman to the Board of SMC Group Plc isdisclosed: Robert Boardman holds and has held within the five preceding years the followingdirectorships and partnerships: Current directorships and partnerships: 81 Mysore Road Management Company Limited30 St James's Square Investments Limited Past directorships and partnerships: Aronhold LimitedStanelco plcStanelco RF Technologies LimitedIngel Technologies LimitedArrowclaim LimitedAccelerator Media (UK) LimitedThe Throgmorton Press LimitedNothing Ventured Online LimitedFinancial Publications LimitedDurlacher Ventures LimitedDurlacher Fund Management LimitedDurlacher Entertainment LimitedDurlacher Corporate Finance LimitedDurlacher Research LimitedChiswell 2 LimitedWeb-Angel LimitedWeb-Angel Services LimitedUnited Energy Properties LimitedUnited Energy LimitedPanmure Gordon (Broking) LimitedPanmure Gordon & Co plcRotherfield Nominees Limited Save as set out above, there is no further information to be disclosed inrespect of under Schedule 2 (g) of the AIM Rules. Notes to Editors SMC Group Plc is the holding company for a group of architects and designers.It has established expertise in a broad range of sectors, including residential,retail, industrial, workplace, transportation, leisure and education. On 3rdFebruary 2006 the Group announced the acquisition of Ian Penrose Architects andCovell Matthews. These additions to the Group have enabled SMC to expand itsnational coverage throughout England, with offices in London, Warwick,Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Liverpool, Lancaster, Exeter, Plymouth andCambridge. The Group's core strategy is to create an architectural group with the scale andexpertise to access the most profitable schemes across a range of sectors andgeographical locations. The Group intends to focus on its organic growth,increasing its share of the UK market and securing larger, higher marginprojects. The Group plans to complement this organic growth withearnings-enhancing acquisitions in order to consolidate its geographic andsector coverage. On 5th September 2005 the Group announced its maiden interim results for the sixmonths ended 30th June 2005. SMC reported turnover of £5.4m (an increase of 47%compared to the same period in 2004) and profit before tax of £1.1m (an increaseof 110% compared to the same period in 2004). Full year results to 31st December2005 are scheduled to be announced on 27th April 2006. The Group also announcedplans to introduce a maiden dividend in June 2006. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange