HOTC.L Regulatory News (HOTC)

2 March 2022

Hotel Chocolat Group plc

("Hotel Chocolat", the "Company" or the "Group")

Change of Auditor

Hotel Chocolat Group plc, a direct-to-consumer premium chocolate brand, today announces a change of Company auditor, as part of the Board's commitment to best practice on corporate governance and in view of the long tenure of BDO LLP ("BDO") having been in the role since 2012.

Following a competitive and comprehensive tender process, overseen by the Audit Committee, the Board has appointed, on recommendation of the Audit Committee, RSM UK Audit LLP ("RSM") as auditor to Hotel Chocolat Group plc.

The internal review panel was impressed throughout the process with the RSM account team, their approach, and their references. The appointment will be confirmed in a vote of shareholders at the Company's next Annual General Meeting. BDO has confirmed that there are no circumstances which it considers should be brought to the attention of the members or creditors of the Company.

The Board wishes to thank BDO for its services and support during its years as auditor to the Company.

For further information:

Notes to Editors:

Hotel Chocolat is a direct-to-consumer premium chocolate brand, involved in every stage of chocolate from growing to making and distributing. The business was founded in 1993 by Angus Thirlwell and Peter Harris and has traded under the Hotel Chocolat brand since 2003. The Group sells its products online and through a network of locations in the UK and USA, and in Japan via a joint-venture. The Group has an organic cacao farm and hotel in Saint Lucia, offering complete cacao immersion through tree-to-bar experiences in a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Group was admitted to trading on AIM in 2016.