GUSC.L Regulatory News (GUSC)

7 Dec 2007 10:49

7 December 2007 Talent Group plc Director's Shareholding and Directorate Change

Talent Group plc ("Talent" or "the Company") announces that, Robert Benton, chairman, has notified the company that he sold, on 6 December 2007, 2,325,000 Talent ordinary shares, equivalent to 14.34 per cent of the issued share capital of the Company, at 6p per share. He retains 502,503 Talent ordinary shares, equivalent to 3.10 per cent of the issued share capital of the Company.

Talent also announces that Terence Bate has notified the Company that he purchased, on the same date, 2,025,000 Talent ordinary shares, equivalent to 12.49 per cent of the issued share capital of the Company, at 6p per share. As a result, he now holds 3,025,000 Talent ordinary shares, equivalent to 18.66 per cent of the issued share capital of the Company.

Following the Company's forthcoming Annual General Meeting, it is intended that Mr Benton will resign as chairman and as a director of Talent and that Mr Bate will join the board and be appointed chairman. A further announcement, which will contain the information on Mr Bate required under Rule 17 of the AIM Rules for Companies, will be made in due course.

Commenting on the changes, Bob Benton said: "Having become chief executive of Ingenious Securities Limited, which specialises in the media sector and commenced trading as a member of the Stock Exchange in November this year, I believe that the potential for conflict of interest in also holding the position of chairman of a publicly quoted television production company requires me to step down. However, I remain fully confident in the future of Talent and its team and will maintain a meaningful shareholding in the company."

Terry Bate commented: "I have known John Kaye Cooper and Tony Humphreys for many years, having collaborated with them on a number of projects, and have a great deal of respect for their achievements. I am delighted by the opportunity to work with them again and join the board of Talent. The Company has an admirable track record and I believe that now is an excellent time for me to be returning to the media industry. I look forward to maximising all opportunities and working with Talent's principal executives to take the Company to its next chapter."

For enquiries:Talent Group plc 020 7421 7800 Tony Humphreys (Managing Director) John East & Partners Limited 020 7628 2200

John East/Simon Clements