13 Apr 2021 07:00
13 April 2021
Countryside Properties plc
Appointment of Non-Executive Chair
Countryside Properties plc ("Countryside" or "Group" or "Company"), a leading UK mixed-tenure developer, announces that John Martin today joins the Group's Board as Non-Executive Chair Designate and will succeed David Howell as Non-Executive Chair on 1 May 2021. David Howell will step down from the Board on 30 April 2021. This follows Countryside's announcement on 3 December 2020 of David Howell's intention to stand down as Chair of the Company during 2021.
John brings extensive leadership and capital allocation experience in operations, finance, and capital markets, having served at Ferguson plc, the FTSE 100 leading specialist distributor of plumbing and heating products, for over nine years to November 2019, most recently as Group Chief Executive Officer and prior to that as Group Chief Financial Officer. During his tenure, Ferguson was significantly simplified and strengthened, substantially improved its market positions, and generated excellent returns for shareholders. Before joining Ferguson, John was a partner at Alchemy Partners, the private equity group, and prior to that was Chief Financial Officer of Travelex plc and Hays plc. John is a Chartered Accountant and started his career at Arthur Andersen. He is currently a Non-Executive Director of Ocado plc, where he serves on the Nomination and Audit Committees.
Douglas Hurt, Senior Independent Director, said: "On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank David Howell for the contribution he has made to Countryside over the past seven years. He led the company as Chair to its successful listing on the London Stock Exchange in 2016 with strong development of the business since then, delivering Total Shareholder Return of 158%. We wish him well for the future. Since December 2020, in searching for David's successor, we have engaged with shareholders and conducted a thorough review of a diverse range of potential high quality candidates. We are delighted to appoint someone of John's calibre and experience. He has the skills and expertise to lead the Board, and a strong track record focused on growth, business transformation and value creation."
John Martin, Non-Executive Chair Designate, said: "Countryside is a fantastic business creating places where people love to live. Delivering quality homes and communities has become more important during the events of the past year and Countryside is uniquely positioned to fulfil this role whilst generating attractive returns for shareholders. I am delighted to join the Board as Chair at an important time for the Company and its stakeholders. I look forward to working with the Board and the Executive team to further develop the business as it continues to grow and deliver mixed-tenure housing across the UK through its differentiated business model."
David Howell, outgoing Non-Executive Chair, said: "It has been a privilege to serve Countryside for the past seven years; for the past five years as Chair. I wish everyone at Countryside the very best for the future."
As well as his role as Non-Executive Chair, John will also serve on the Remuneration and Nomination Committees of the Board and from 13 April 2021 will Chair the Nominations Committee.
There is no other information relating to John Martin that is required to be disclosed under Listing Rule 9.6.13R of the UK Listing Authority.
ENDS
Enquiries:
Countryside Properties - 01277 260 000
Douglas Hurt - Senior Independent Director
Victoria Prior - Managing Director, Corporate Affairs
Brunswick Group LLP - 020 7404 5959
Nina Coad / Robin Wrench / Oliver Sherwood
Note to editors:
Countryside is a leading UK mixed-tenure developer through its two divisions, Partnerships and Housebuilding.
Countryside's Partnerships division was established over 40 years ago, specialising in estate regeneration, with operations in London, the South East, the North West, the Midlands and Yorkshire. It works mainly on public sector owned and brownfield land, in partnership with local authorities and housing associations to develop private, affordable and PRS homes. It recently established a modular panel manufacturing facility in Warrington to improve quality and reduce build times on site. Its developments include large scale urban regeneration projects at Beam Park in Rainham, Acton Gardens in Ealing and Rochester Riverside in Medway.
Countryside's Housebuilding division benefits from an industry leading strategic land bank which is focused around outer London and the Home Counties. It builds family homes, with a focus on placemaking and selling to local owner occupiers. Its developments include a number of large-scale projects including Beaulieu in Essex, Springhead Park in Ebbsfleet and Tattenhoe Park in Milton Keynes.