CVS Group Regulatory News (CVSG)

For immediate release 1 May 2024

CVS Group plc

("CVS" or the "Company" and, together with its subsidiaries, the "Group")

Appointment of Non-executive Chair

CVS, the UK listed veterinary group and a leading provider of veterinary services, announces the appointment of David Wilton as Chair with effect from 1 May 2024.

David has served as an Independent Non-executive Director of the Company since September 2021.

David is a qualified Chartered Accountant with more than 30 years' post-qualification experience as a Chief Financial Officer, Non-Executive Director (NED), Chair and consultant after many years in corporate finance, primarily in mid-cap M&A with Rothschilds. David has held roles in both public and private-equity backed companies including as CFO of Sumo Group plc, Group Finance Director of WYG plc and NED and Chair of the Audit Committee of Sweett Group plc. David was NED and subsequently Chair at Frontier Developments plc until November 2023. David is currently also NED and Chair Designate at Gateley (Holdings) plc. He has extensive experience of people businesses and of regulatory processes. David also brings to the Chair role a significant amount of technical expertise, which will support CVS in its strategic delivery of investment in technology.

David Wilton's appointment follows a comprehensive search by the Nomination Committee, supported by a blue chip recruitment firm who sourced a number of high quality candidates.

The Board would like to thank Deborah Kemp, the Group's Senior Independent Director who has been acting as Interim Chair during the search period. 

The Board is committed to high standards of corporate governance and will commence a search for a new Independent Audit Committee Chair. David will remain as Audit Committee Chair until this process is completed, at which point he will then step down as a member of the Audit Committee.

David Wilton, Non-executive Chair, commented: "I am delighted to take on the role of Chair. I know the business well and I look forward to supporting the executive management team even more closely as we continue to grow the business and deliver value for all of our stakeholders." 

Richard Fairman, CEO, commented: "On behalf of the Board and colleagues at CVS, I would like to congratulate David on his appointment as Chair, and thank Deborah for her contribution during her position as Interim Chair."

CVS Group plc via Camarco

Richard Fairman, CEO

Scott Morrison, Company Secretary

Peel Hunt LLP (Nominated Adviser & Joint Broker) +44 (0)20 7418 8900

Christopher Golden / James Steel / Andrew Clark / Lalit Bose

Berenberg (Joint Broker) +44 (0)20 3207 7800

Toby Flaux / Ben Wright / James Thompson / Milo Bonser

Camarco (Financial PR)

Ginny Pulbrook +44 (0)7961 315 138

Geoffrey Pelham-Lane +44 (0)7733 124 226

About CVS Group plc (www.cvsukltd.co.uk)

CVS Group is an AIM-listed provider of veterinary services with operations in the UK, Australia, the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland. CVS is focused on providing high-quality clinical services to its clients and their animals, with outstanding and dedicated clinical teams and support colleagues at the core of its strategy.

The Group operates c.500 veterinary practices across its four territories, including specialist referral hospitals and dedicated out-of-hours sites. Alongside the core Veterinary Practices division, CVS operates Laboratories (providing diagnostic services to CVS and third-parties), Crematoria (providing pet cremation and clinical waste disposal for CVS and third-party practices) and the Group's online retail business ("Animed Direct").

The Group employs c.9,100 personnel, including c.2,400 veterinary surgeons and c.3,400 nurses.