22 Feb 2011 07:00
22 February 2011
Brainspark plc
("Brainspark" or "the Company")
Board Changes
Brainspark, a fast growing international investment company announces that Prof. Francesco Gardin has resigned as Chairman with immediate effect to pursue other activities. Alfredo Villa, CEO of the Company will become Chairman and Chief Executive of Brainspark.
Mr. Gabriele Gresta aged 39, a renowned Italian entrepreneur and worldwide expert in the technology and digital media sectors, will become a Non-Executive Director of Brainspark with immediate effect. Mr. Gresta is currently President of Bibop S.p.A. and a Venture Partner in Digital Magics Spa.
Bibop, a leading digital media company is 51% owned by Brainspark. Digital Magics is a technology incubator company with 25 investments in its portfolio. The company has invested over EUR15 million of its own money or in conjunction with third-party equity capital partners, including, major industrial groups and financial companies, such as Brainspark, Innogest Venture Capital, TICOM, Telecom Italia, as well as many angel investors.
Alfredo Villa, Chairman and CEO of Brainspark, commented, "I would like to thank Prof. Gardin for his tireless work over the past few years; he has been of great benefit to the Company.
"As we enter into a new phase of development, I would like to welcome Gabriele to the Board. His experience and contacts will bring a wealth of business acumen to Brainspark. He has been a successful investor for the past 20 years and we look forward to having his skills at the heart of the Company."
Mr Gresta has held the following Directorships over the past five years:
Current Positions:
Bibop S.p.A. - Italy - Executive Chairman
Bibop International S.R.L. - Italy - Non Executive Director
Digital Magics Spa - Italy - Deputy Chairman
Prince Immobiliare S.r.l. - Italy - CEO
Past Positions:
Theblogtv S.R.L. - Italy - Non Executive Director - From 27/10/2005 to 21/05/2007
G. DI PIERONI FAUSTO E C. S.n.c. - Italy - Director - From 20/04/200 to 26/04/2006
Mr Gresta holds 4,600 ordinary Brainspark shares.
Save for the information disclosed above there is no other information required to be disclosed under Rule 17 and Schedule Two, paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules.
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For further information please contact:
Brainspark plc +39 347 662 0664
Alfredo Villa, Chairman and Chief Executive
Arbuthnot Securities +44(0) 20 7012 2000
Antonio Bossi / Ed Groome
Leander PR +44(0) 7795 168 157
Christian Taylor-Wilkinson
About Brainspark Plc
Brainspark plc (AIM: BSP) is an AIM listed investment company pursuing a dynamic strategy to create a comprehensive portfolio of companies primarily encompassing the interactive media, leisure, entertainment and financial services sectors mainly in Italy but also other European countries. Its core investment is B'Parks & Leisure, the owner of a site in northern Italy with plans for the development of a large theme park. The company may be either a passive or active investor and Brainspark's investment rationale ranges from acquiring minority positions with strategic influence through to larger controlling positions.