Last checked at 2 Sep 2020 16:15
02 September 2020
Gusbourne Plc
("Gusbourne", the "Company" or the "Group")
Directorate Change
Gusbourne (AIM: GUS) today announces that it has appointed James ("Jim") Ormonde as a Director and Non-Executive Chairman. Jim will take over the chairmanship from Andrew Weeber, the founder of the business, who will remain on the Board of the Company as a Non-Executive Director.
Jim Ormonde is a former newspaper and BBC journalist who left broadcasting to build Cardsave, one of the UK's largest independent card payment companies, now owned by WorldPay/FIS. Since selling Cardsave, he has served on several private and public boards whilst providing strategic advice to numerous large corporates and private equity firms. He recently founded a multi-family office in New York and London.
Andrew Weeber founded the business in 2003 when he planted he planted the first vines on the Gusbourne estate in Kent, and made the decision then to strive for best practice and quality in all aspects of viticulture and wine making including longer lees ageing to match the best quality sparkling wines internationally. The first sparkling wines were sold in 2010 to critical acclaim.
The business was listed on AIM in 2013 since when it has continued to develop and expand with the benefit of additional capital whilst maintaining rigorous attention to detail and quality in its production of the finest English sparkling wines. Andrew has stepped down after chairing Gusbourne Plc since 2013 but will remain on the Board as a Non-Executive Director and continue to support the Board as it develops its future growth strategy.
Andrew Weeber commented, "Jim has been providing strategic advice to Gusbourne for almost two years and has brought tremendous passion and entrepreneurial spirit to the business during that time. I'm delighted to welcome him to the board as Chairman and look forward to working with him and the rest of the team as we build on Gusbourne's status as a premium English sparkling wine brand."
Jim Ormonde commented, "I'm thrilled to accept the challenge of chairing the Board of this quintessential English brand as we build on the culture of relentless quality Andrew has very carefully established throughout Gusbourne's development. I thank Andrew for chairing the Company and look forward to working with him and the rest of the Board as we enter an exciting new period of growth. I must also pay tribute to the Company's talented leadership team who continue to win accolades from the sternest wine critics around the world, delighting an ever-growing audience who appreciate Gusbourne's determination to produce the finest English wines with integrity and respect for our unique terroir by using only the grapes we grow ourselves."
The following details in relation to the appointment of Mr James Ormonde (aged 49) are disclosed in accordance with Schedule 2(g) of the AIM Rules:
Current directorships
| Past directorships held within last 5 years |
RMS Holdco Limited Anston Alpha Strategies LLP Anston Capital LLP Black Desk Consulting Limited
| Monde Eyewear Ltd
|
There is no further information to be disclosed in relation to Mr James Ormonde's appointment pursuant to AIM Rule 17 or paragraph (g) of Schedule Two of the AIM Rules for Companies.
For further information contact:
Gusbourne Plc Charlie Holland |
+44 (0)1233 758 666 |
Canaccord Genuity Limited Bobbie Hilliam Georgina McCooke |
+44 (0)20 7523 8000 |
Note: This announcement and other press releases are available to view at the Company's website: www.gusbourneplc.com
Note to Editors
Gusbourne PLC ("the Company") is engaged, through its wholly owned subsidiary Gusbourne Estate Limited (together the "Group"), in the production and distribution of a range of high quality and award winning English sparkling wines from grapes grown in its own vineyards in Kent and West Sussex. The majority of the Group's mature vineyards are located at its freehold estate at Appledore in Kent where the winery is also based.