Last checked at 20 Oct 2020 07:00
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION
20 October 2020
Hargreaves Lansdown plc ("Hargreaves Lansdown" or the "Company")
Shareholder Agreement with Peter Hargreaves and related Board Appointment of Adrian Collins
The Board of Hargreaves Lansdown plc (the "Board") is pleased to announce that, following discussions between Peter Hargreaves and the Board regarding how best to reflect Peter's continuing interest in the Company whilst respecting the strong independent governance principles of the Board, Hargreaves Lansdown has agreed with Peter to enter into a new shareholder agreement (the "Agreement") to govern their on-going relationship.
Pursuant to the Agreement, Peter, a co-founder of Hargreaves Lansdown and the Company's largest shareholder, shall be entitled to nominate one non-independent, non-executive director for appointment to the Board, subject to the applicable regulatory and governance framework that is observed by the Company. This Agreement and nomination right shall remain in place for so long as Peter and his associates' control or are entitled to control the exercise of at least 10 per cent of the Company's voting rights.
As a result, the Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Adrian Collins as a non-independent non-executive director of the Company, nominated to the Board as a shareholder representative of Peter Hargreaves pursuant to the nomination right set out in the Agreement. Adrian's appointment will take effect on 2 November 2020.
Adrian has worked in the fund management business for over 40 years, most recently at Liontrust Asset Management where he served as Chairman from 2009 to 2019. Adrian has extensive experience across fund management and adjacent sectors having held senior roles at Gartmore, Trustnet (which he co-founded), Jupiter, Bestinvest and Lazard Investors. He is an experienced non-executive director and is currently non-executive Chairman of Eddie Stobart Logistics plc and CIP Merchant Capital Ltd. As a result of becoming a non-executive director at Hargreaves Lansdown, Adrian has stepped down from the boards of LTC Holdings and Heritage Collins where he was a non-executive director and will in due course also come off the board of Tri Star Resources. Adrian is also a non-executive director at Bahamas Petroleum plc and the Sri Lanka Fund.
Adrian will seek election by the Company's shareholders at the Annual General Meeting in 2021.
Deanna Oppenheimer, Chair of Hargreaves Lansdown plc, said: "I'm delighted to welcome Adrian to the Board and look forward to working with him going forward. Adrian's presence on the Board will provide an avenue to harness Peter's wealth of experience, while also allowing us to benefit from Adrian's considerable expertise in the fund management industry. The Board is focused on maintaining the highest standards of corporate governance as reflected in the recent appointments of John Troiano, Andrea Blance and Moni Mannings."
Adrian Collins said: "I am pleased to be joining the Board of Hargreaves Lansdown. I look forward to playing my part in the continued success and leadership of the Company."
As at 20 October 2020, Adrian Collins has confirmed that he does not own shares in Hargreaves Lansdown plc.
In the previous five years, in addition to the companies named above Adrian Collins has also held directorships in the following publicly quoted companies: City Natural Resources High Yield Trust plc and New City High Yield Fund Ltd.
Other than as set out above, the Company confirms there is no further information to be disclosed under the requirements of Listing Rule 9.6.13R in relation to Adrian Collins' appointment.
Alison Zobel
Company Secretary
Enquiries:
Hargreaves Lansdown plc
James Found, Head of Investor Relations
+44 (0)7970 066 634
Danny Cox, Head of Communications
+44 (0)7989 672 071
Brunswick (PR adviser to Hargreaves Lansdown)
Anita Scott / Nick Cosgrove
+44 (0)20 7404 5959