Harworth Gp Regulatory News (HWG)

19 December 2017

Harworth Group plc ("Harworth" or the "Company")

Alastair Lyons appointed as new Harworth Chairman

Harworth, the brownfield regeneration and property investment specialist, announces the appointment of Alastair Lyons CBE as non-executive director and Chairman of the Board, with effect from 7 March 2018, following the announcement of the Company's 2017 preliminary results on 6 March 2018. He will succeed Jonson Cox who, as previously announced, will retire from the Board on 31 March 2018 after more than seven successful years as Chairman.

Alastair Lyons brings strong business and governance experience to the role. Earlier this year he retired as non-executive chairman of Admiral Group plc, a role he had held since 2000. He is currently non-executive chairman of Welsh Water (Dwr Cymru) and deputy chairman of Bovis Homes Group PLC, from which he will retire at Bovis Homes' next Annual General Meeting, having joined its Board in 2008. In the previous five years, he has also been non-executive chairman of Serco Group plc (retired 2015) and senior independent director at the Phoenix Group (retired 2013). Prior to undertaking non-executive director roles, he built an extensive executive career, including as Chief Executive of both the National Provident Institution and the National & Provincial Building Society and Director of Corporate Projects at NatWest.

Lisa Clement, Harworth's senior independent director who led the Nominations Committee process, commented:

"Following a thorough selection process, we are delighted to have found a chairman, in Alastair, with such extensive experience and enthusiasm for the business. 

"On behalf of the Board I would also like to put on record our thanks to Jonson. Over the last seven years, his leadership of the Board has helped transform Harworth from a non-core property division within a mining business to the successful, listed regeneration and property investment specialist it is today, delivering strong returns for shareholders along the way."

Commenting on his appointment, Alastair Lyons said:

"I am delighted to have the opportunity to chair a business that plays such an important role in regenerating former industrial areas into thriving residential and business communities. Harworth has gone from strength to strength since it was divested from UK Coal in 2012 and continues to grow its profile after being relisted in 2015. I look forward to supporting the business in achieving its vision to be the leading brownfield regeneration company in the North of England and the Midlands."

Jonson Cox, the current chairman of Harworth, added:

"It has been a privilege to bring Harworth into being in 2012 from the former UK Coal plc, and to see the business perform so strongly since that time with a solid platform in place and a clear strategy for growth. Now is the time for a new chairman to take the business forward, and it will be in good hands with Alastair. I wish the business every success in the future." 

There is no further information that is required to be disclosed under paragraph 9.6.13R of the Listing Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority.

Enquiries:

About Harworth

Listed on the main market, Harworth Group plc (LSE: HWG) is a leading brownfield regeneration and property investment specialist which owns, develops and manages a portfolio of approximately 21,000 acres of land on 139 sites located throughout the Midlands and North of England. The Company specialises in the regeneration of former coalfield sites and other brownfield land into employment areas, new residential developments and low carbon energy projects.

http://www.harworthgroup.com/