FIF.L Regulatory News (FIF)

22 Feb 2007 10:13

Finsbury Food Group PLC22 February 2007 Date: 22 February 2007 On behalf of: Finsbury Food Group plc ("Finsbury" or "the Company") For Immediate Release Finsbury Food Group plc Board Changes The Board of Finsbury Food Group plc (AIM: FIF), one of the UK's leadingmanufacturers and distributors of premium cakes and breads, is pleased toannounce the appointment of Paul Monk as Joint Deputy Chairman and also MartinLightbody and Crawford Currie to the Board. The appointments will be effectiveupon completion of the Company's acquisition of Lightbody. This followsshareholder approval of the acquisition and Board appointments at today's EGM. Paul Monk, 49, joined the Company in December 2002 and has a wealth ofexperience in the food manufacturing industry. He was the Chief Executive ofGolden Wonder Limited and his other experience includes roles with Marks andSpencer plc and the Mars Inc. Paul will join David Marshall as Deputy Chairmanof the Board upon completion of the acquisition. Martin Lightbody, 43, is the fourth generation of the Lightbody family to gointo the family business. He obtained a National Diploma in Food Technology at aleading bakery school, Hollings Faculty, where he won the top student award. Hecontinued his studies at Salford College and completed his qualifications at theworld renowned Richemont School in Switzerland. Upon joining the family businessin 1987, Martin guided Lightbody to 'UK Independent Baker of the Year' in 1991.Martin took the decision, in 1995, to refocus the business from retail bakery towholesale supply of celebration cakes to UK retail multiples. Martin has managedand developed the business through this period of unprecedented growth and hassuccessfully led the business into Europe. Martin remains as Managing Directorof the Lightbody business until 1 May 2007, at which point he will take on therole of the Strategic Development Director for the Enlarged Group. Crawford Currie, 46, is Finance Director of Lightbody, a role he was appointedto in November 1998. He qualified as a chartered accountant with Touche Ross &Co in Glasgow and practised in audit for four years before commencing a careerin industry. Over a 12 year period he worked for two listed companies: CooksonGroup and Smiths Industries. Before joining Lightbody, Crawford worked onseveral acquisition projects from initial appraisal, through the acquisitionprocess to ultimate integration within the plc structure. Crawford will retainthe position of Finance Director of Lightbody. Commenting on the appointments, Lord Saatchi, Chairman of Finsbury Food Groupplc, said: "On behalf of the Board, I would like to welcome Martin and Crawford. Martin'sflair and intuition for future market trends will provide a new range ofinsights for the Group, whilst Crawford's detailed knowledge of the Lightbodybusiness will add to the strength the Group has in its control & forecastingfunctions. We are also delighted that Paul will be joining David Marshall asDeputy Chairman. Together their combined experience will be a huge asset to theCompany. We look forward to working with them and continuing to drive theGroup's growth." Save as set out in the Admission Document, there is no further information to bedisclosed in respect of the Proposed Directors under paragraph (g) of Schedule 2of the AIM Rules. All terms used in this announcement are defined as set out in the circular toShareholders dated 30 January 2007. - ends - Enquiries to: Finsbury Food Group plcwww.finsburyfoods.co.ukDave Brooks (Chief Executive) 07831 787 382 Redleaf CommunicationsEmma Kane/Sanna Lehtinen 020 7822 0200 Notes to Editors: • Publication quality photographs are available via Redleaf Communications on the numbers shown above This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange