DODS.L Regulatory News (DODS)

The information contained within this announcement is deemed to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014. Upon the publication of this announcement, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.

29 November 2017

Dods Group plc

("Dods" or the "Company")

Directorate Changes

Dods announces the following changes to its Board of Directors all of which take place with immediate effect. 

The Company is pleased to appoint Mark Smith and Angela Entwistle as Non-Executive Directors.

Mark Smith is a media and communications expert, and qualified Chartered Accountant in England and Wales. Mr. Smith served as Chief Operating Officer and Finance Director of Chime Communications from 1986 to 2017. Most recently he was Chairman and Managing Partner of Bell Pottinger and is currently Non-Executive Chairman of Holiday Extras, a major travel and leisure business. 

Angela Entwistle is a corporate communications specialist. Ms. Entwistle is currently Non-Executive Director of Impellam Group plc, an AIM quoted recruitment company and works with several private companies both in the UK and internationally. Previously, she was Corporate Communications Director for ADT Limited, a major US support services business, from 1986 to1997 until its merger with Tyco International. Ms. Entwistle is involved in a number of charities including acting as Trustee of both Crimestoppers and Prospect Education Technology Trust.  

Concurrently, Non-Executive Directors Sir William Wells and Lord Adonis are stepping down from the Board. Sir William Wells joined the Board in December of 2010, and Lord Adonis joined the Board in January of 2011. The Company wishes to thank them for their significant contribution to the Company during their tenure over the past 7 years.

Additionally, Guy Cleaver, Chief Executive Officer, has resigned from the Board to pursue other interests. The Company would like to thank Mr. Cleaver for his 16 years of service to the Company, and his valuable support during a time of change in the organisation.

Cheryl Jones, Non-Executive Chairman, and Nitil Patel, Chief Financial Officer and Director, have worked together closely over the past year, and will continue to lead the organisation for the present time. The Board is currently seeking to appoint a new Chief Executive Officer and a further announcement will be made in due course once such appointment has been made.

Further Information relating to Mr. Smith and Ms. Entwistle is disclosed below in accordance with Schedule Two, paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules for Companies.

Mark William Smith, aged 62, is currently or has previously been a director or partner of the following companies or partnerships within the past five years:

Holiday Extras Investments Limited

Bell Pottinger Private Ltd

Bell Pottinger LLP

Bell Pottinger (Services) Limited

Chime Group Limited*

Chime Group Holdings Limited*

Chime Limited*

Chime Communications Limited*

Chime Atlantic Limited*

Chime Finance Limited*

Chime On Line Limited*

*indicates no longer a director or partner

Mark Smith is currently a director of Bell Pottinger Private Ltd and its subsidiaries, Bell Pottinger LLP and Bell Pottinger (Services) Limited as disclosed above. In September 2017, Bell Pottinger Private Ltd and its subsidiaries were placed into administration. The administration process is ongoing.

Angela Elizabeth Entwistle, aged 56, is currently a director or partner of the following companies or partnerships:

Anne Street Partners Limited

Conservative Intelligence Limited

Conservative Home Limited

Dunkeld International Investment Ltd.

Kesler Associated Inc.

Callerbar Limited

Gabana Services Corp.

Riddermark Ventures Limited

Simbotta Industries Ltd.

Heaver Holdings Limited

Belize Social Development Limited

Midway Investments Ltd.

Impellam Group PLC

Impellam Associates Limited

Crimestoppers Trust

Prospect Education (Technology) Trust Limited

Prospect Educational and Publis Services Limited

Devonshire Club (Holdings) Limited

Devonshire Club Limited

Save as disclosed above, there is no further information required to be disclosed pursuant to Schedule Two, paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules for Companies.

For further information, please contact: 

Dods Group plc via Alma PR

Josh Royston 07780 901 979

John Coles 07836 273660

Helena Bogle 07580 216 203

Cenkos Securities plc (Nominated Adviser and Broker)

Nicholas Wells 020 7397 8900

Mark Connelly