Hill & Smith Regulatory News (HILS)

7 August 2019

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC

Board Changes

Appointment of Chairman

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC ("Hill & Smith" or "the Group") today announces the appointment of Alan Giddins as Chairman of the Board with effect from 1 October 2019. Alan will succeed Jock Lennox, who will retire from the Board on that date.

Alan joined the Hill & Smith Board in October 2017 as Senior Independent Director, and has been a member of the Audit, Remuneration and Nomination Committees since his appointment. He has been appointed Chairman following a thorough selection process, which included external candidates, and was led by Annette Kelleher, Non-executive Director and Chair of the Remuneration Committee, supported by Spencer Stuart, international executive search consultants.

Alan recently stepped down as a Managing Partner and Head of Private Equity at 3i Group plc ("3i"), where he was a member of its Executive Committee. Prior to joining 3i in 2005, Alan spent 13 years working in investment banking advising a broad range of public companies. He qualified as a chartered accountant at KPMG and has a degree in economics. 

Alan brings a wealth of relevant experience as a business leader and investor. He has been involved in building and growing businesses both in the UK and internationally, and has sat on the boards of a number of 3i's largest private equity investments.

The Board has engaged a search firm to support it in the appointment of an additional Non-executive Director to join the Board during the second half of 2019.

Jock Lennox, Chairman said:

"It has been a privilege to be part of the successful Hill & Smith story since becoming a Non-executive Director in 2009. In the last two years as Chairman, we have continued to develop the leading positions in our chosen international markets and to lay the groundwork for the future. I leave behind a very strong and entrepreneurial management team and I am delighted that Alan is succeeding me as Chairman to lead the next stage of the Group's growth."

Derek Muir, Chief Executive said:

"I am delighted that Alan has agreed to take on the Chairman role at Hill & Smith. The Board has benefitted hugely from his involvement with the Group over the last 18 months, and I am very much looking forward to working with Alan in his new role. On behalf of the Board I would also like to thank Jock for the significant contribution he has made to Hill & Smith, first as a Non-executive Director and then as Chairman."

Alan Giddins said:

"I am extremely pleased to be taking on the role of Chairman at Hill & Smith. I believe that there are significant opportunities for the Group within its core infrastructure markets, and I am looking forward to working with the Board and wider executive management team to continue to deliver on the Group's clear growth strategy."

ENDS

For further information, please contact:

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC

Jock Lennox, Chairman

Derek Muir, CEO Tel: +44 (0)121 704 7430

MHP Communications

Andrew Jaques/Ollie Hoare/Guy Featherstone Tel: +44 (0)20 3128 8100

Notes to Editors

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC is an international group with leading positions in the design, manufacture and supply of infrastructure products and galvanizing services to global markets. It serves its customers from facilities principally in the UK, France, USA, Sweden, Norway, India and Australia.

The Group's operations are organised into three main business segments:

Infrastructure Products - Roads, supplying products and services such as permanent and temporary road safety barriers, hostile vehicle mitigation products, street lighting columns, bridge parapets, temporary car parks, traffic management and variable road messaging solutions.

Infrastructure Products - Utilities, supplying products and services such as pipe supports for the power and liquid natural gas markets, energy grid components, composite 'GRP' products, plastic drainage pipes, industrial flooring, handrails, access covers and security fencing.

Galvanizing Services which provides zinc and other coatings for a wide range of products including fencing, lighting columns, structural steel work, bridges, agricultural and other products for the infrastructure and construction markets.

Headquartered in the UK and quoted on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: HILS.L), Hill & Smith Holdings PLC employs some 4,700 staff, principally in 7 countries.