Design Group Regulatory News (IGR)

5 July 2021

IG Design Group plc

("Design Group", the "Company" or the "Group")

Board Changes

IG Design Group plc, one of the world's leading designers, innovators and manufacturers of celebrations, craft, gifting, stationery and creative play products, is pleased to announce the appointments of Stewart Gilliland and Clare Askem to the Board as Non-Executive Chairman Designate and Non-Executive Director respectively, effective immediately. In addition, the Company also announces that Elaine Bond has informed the Board of her intention to step down from her role as Non-Executive Director, effective 31 December 2021 having served her full tenure.

Stewart will take on the role of Non-Executive Chairman from John Charlton who, as previously communicated, will step down and retire at the Group's upcoming AGM to be held in September 2021. This will allow adequate time for an effective handover.

Stewart Gilliland has a wealth of experience in senior and board roles at fast-moving consumer goods businesses, both listed and private. He is currently Chair of C&C Group plc, as well as a Non-Executive director at Chapel Down Group, Tesco and Natures Way Foods. Previously, Stewart has held non-executive positions at Mitchells & Butlers plc, Booker Group, Sutton & East Surrey Water Company and Vianet Group. These directorships follow a long and successful executive career in consumer-facing companies, where Stewart established a strong track record in supporting businesses to achieve their growth ambitions and encouraging engagement with stakeholders.

Clare Askem has an extensive background in strategic development with substantial experience in business change and digital transformation. She also has a wealth of experience in consumer goods businesses. Clare is currently a Non-Executive Director of Portmeirion Group plc, Studio Retail Group plc and The Law Debenture Corporation plc. Previously, she was managing director of Habitat at Sainsbury plc and was a director on the Sainsbury's Argos operating board. Prior to her role at Habitat, Clare held a number of executive positions at Home Retail Group plc.

Current Board composition:

* John Charlton will step down from the Board at the Group's upcoming AGM to be held in September 2021

** Elaine Bond will step down from the Board on 31 December 2021

Paul Fineman, CEO of IG Design Group plc, commented:

"First and foremost, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank John Charlton for his ten-years' service as a Board member and in particular his role as Chairman. His guidance to the Board and the business over this time has been extremely important. I would also like to thank Elaine Bond for her nine-years' service including chair of the Remuneration Committee. During their tenures, the Company has transformed into a true global leader, diversified into countless new markets, channels, products and multiplied revenue by circa four times. Throughout this journey, they have both provided sound counsel and dynamic leadership, driving us forward towards the achievement of our goals. The Board and I sincerely thank them for all they have brought to the business.

"We are delighted to be appointing Stewart as our Chairman Designate. Not only does he have FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 experience, and a deep knowledge of the consumer industry, he also has great ambitions for the business, which we know he will help us make a reality. We look forward to benefitting from his strength in embedding best practice governance, increasing shareholder engagement and investing in people. We are confident Stewart is ideally suited to chair the Group going forward and are excited to see what we will achieve as we move into our next stage of growth.

We are also extremely pleased to announce the appointment of Clare as a Non-Executive Director. As well as bringing excellent strategic thinking skills to our Group, Clare's past experience will bring a customer and brand perspective to the Board. We look forward to her guidance over the coming years as the Group continues to execute on its strategy."

Disclosures

The following details in relation to the appointment of Stewart Gilliland (aged 64) are disclosed in accordance with Schedule 2(g) of the AIM Rules:

* Curious Drinks Limited, a subsidiary of Chapel Down Group plc, was placed into administration on 5 May 2021. The administration process remains ongoing.  

There is no further information to be disclosed in relation to Stewart Gilliland's appointment pursuant to AIM Rule 17 or paragraph (g) of Schedule Two of the AIM Rules for Companies.

The following details in relation to the appointment of Clare Askem (aged 51) are disclosed in accordance with Schedule 2(g) of the AIM Rules:

There is no further information to be disclosed in relation to Clare Askem's appointment pursuant to AIM Rule 17 or paragraph (g) of Schedule Two of the AIM Rules for Companies.

For further information, please contact:

About IG Design Group plc

IG Design Group plc, the largest consumer gift packaging business in the world, is a designer, innovator and manufacturer of products that help people celebrate life's special occasions. Design Group works with more than 11,000 customers in over 80 countries throughout the UK, Europe, Australia and the USA.

Its products are found in over 210,000 retail outlets, including several of the world's biggest retailers, for example Walmart, Target, Amazon, Costco, Lidl and Aldi. Its brand, Tom Smith, also holds the Royal Warrant for the supply of Christmas crackers and Christmas wrapping paper to the Royal family. Design Group is a diverse business operating across multiple regions, categories, seasons and brands.

Its five major product categories are: Celebrations, Gifting, Craft & creative play, Stationery and 'Not-for-resale' consumables. It offers customers a full end-to-end service from design through to distribution, offering both branded and bespoke products from the value-focused through to the higher-margin ends of the market.

The Company was admitted to the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange in 1995 under the name 'International Greetings plc' and rebranded to IG Design Group plc in 2016. For further information please visit www.thedesigngroup.com.