HNT.L Regulatory News (HNT)

19th December 2018

Huntsworth plc

(Huntsworth or the Company)

Directorate Change and Appointment of Chairman

Huntsworth, the healthcare and communications group, today announces that following the completion of an external recruitment process, David Lowden has been appointed to the Board as an independent Non-Executive Director, effective from 1 January 2019. Following an orderly succession period, he will replace Derek Mapp as Chairman of the Board of Huntsworth and of its Nomination Committee, effective from 6 March 2019. Derek Mapp will then step down as Chairman from the Board and Nomination Committee and on the same day will resign as a Director of the Company.

David Lowden has extensive executive experience in global marketing services businesses. From 1999 to 2008, David was a member of the Board of Taylor Nelson Sofres Plc, the marketing services business, becoming its Chief Executive Officer in January 2006. Before this, he held several other senior executive positions, including at AC Nielsen Corporation and Federal Express Corporation. David is currently the Non-Executive Director and Chairman of PageGroup Plc, the specialist FTSE 250 recruitment agency, where he has been Chairman since 2015 and a Non-Executive Director since 2012. He is also a Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee at William Hill Plc and Non-Executive Director at Morgan Sindall Plc. David will be stepping down from his role at William Hill Plc on 4 March 2019, following an orderly transition of his responsibilities. He has previously held other non-executive roles, including at Cable & Wireless Worldwide Plc and Berendsen Plc.

Andy Boland, Senior Independent Director commented:

"It was important that our next Chairman possessed the necessary attributes to lead the Board in its next phase of development. I am confident that in David we have found the right person to do that and I am delighted that we have been able to secure someone of his quality.

I would also like to reiterate, on behalf of the Board, our appreciation of the significant contribution that Derek has made in transforming the business during his tenure as Chairman."

David Lowden, Chairman-elect said:

"I am very pleased to be given the opportunity to join the Board of Huntsworth as its Chairman, in what I believe will be a very positive phase of the Company's development."

Paul Taaffe, CEO said:

"We are delighted to welcome David to Huntsworth. His high calibre experience as Chairman of PageGroup Plc and his other various senior directorship roles, including at William Hill Plc and formerly at Berendsen Plc, together with his previous leadership of the likes of Taylor Nelson Sofres Plc, a worldwide market research business, will be hugely valuable to the Huntsworth plc Board as we embark on our next stage of growth."

"Again, I thank Derek for his excellent leadership and wise counsel over the years and wish him well."

It is confirmed that there are no further details to be disclosed pursuant to Listing Rule 9.6.13 R (1) to (6) and that David Lowden does not currently hold any shares in the Company. 

Huntsworth plc - www.huntsworth.com

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