Debenhams Regulatory News (DEB)

22 Oct 2009 07:02



22 October 2009

DEBENHAMS plc

APPOINTMENT OF NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Debenhams plc announces that Nigel Northridge will join the board as a non-executive director on 1 January 2010.

Mr. Northridge is currently chairman of Paddy Power plc, senior independent director of Aggreko plc and non-executive director of Thomas Cook Group plc and Inchcape plc. He spent 32 years with Gallaher Group plc in sales and marketing roles, becoming the group chief executive in 2000, a position in which he oversaw significant growth in shareholder value, leading to the sale of the company in 2007 for £9.4 billion.

Nigel Northridge said: 

"I am delighted to be joining the Debenhams Board. It is a company I have long admired both in terms of its quality of management and as a customer".

John Lovering, Chairman of Debenhams, said:

"We are delighted that Nigel will be joining the board of Debenhams. He has considerable experience both in an executive role and more recently in a non executive capacity. His vast experience on a range of businesses, and indeed markets, will further enhance our strong non executive team and I join the board in welcoming him to the team." 

- Ends -

Enquiries:

Analysts and shareholders

Lisa Williams, Debenhams plc 020 7409 3304/07908 483841

Media

Jonathon Brill, Financial Dynamics 020 7269 7170

Notes to editors

Debenhams is a leading department stores group with a strong presence in key product categories including Womenswear, Menswear, Childrenswear, Home and Health and Beauty. Debenhams is the second largest department store chain in the UK.

Debenhams has a total of 144 department stores in the UK and the Republic of Ireland and 12 Desire by Debenhams stores, which is a small store concept featuring a mix of womenswear, accessories, lingerie, cosmetics and childrenswear. Debenhams has 52 international franchise stores in 17 countries and an online store, www.debenhams.com, through which much of the Debenhams range is available.

Designers at Debenhams include Ted Baker, Jeff Banks, Jasper Conran, Erickson Beamon, Pip Hackett, Betty Jackson, Ben de Lisi, Julien Macdonald, Melissa Odabash, Jane Packer, Pearce Fionda, Janet Reger, John Rocha and Matthew Williamson.