Design Group Regulatory News (IGR)

8 January 2025

IG Design Group plc

(the 'Company' or 'Design Group')

Directorate Change

IG Design Group plc, one of the world's leading designers, innovators and manufacturers across various celebration and creative categories, is pleased to announce the appointment of John Gittins to the Board of Directors (the 'Board') as a Non-Executive Director, effective from 3 March 2025. As of that date, John will become a member of the Audit Committee.

John is an experienced UK and international CFO with 20 years of experience within listed companies on both the FTSE and AIM, across regulated consumer financial services; and professional and support services. John has significant technical, audit, financial and strategic experience driving sales and revenue growth through varied strategies and understanding the complexities of global operating divisions and worldwide markets.

John is currently Non-Executive Director and Audit Committee Chair at Nichols plc. John's previous experience includes Audit Committee Chair at Appreciate Group plc and Electricity North-West Limited; as a Non-Executive Director at Hill Dickinson LLP; and in CFO and Finance Director roles at Fairpoint Group plc, Begbies Traynor Group plc, Vertex Data Science Limited and Spring Group plc. John is a Chartered Accountant.

The Company today also announces that Claire Binyon, Non-Executive Director will be stepping down from the Board with effect from 15 January 2025.

The Company is also pleased to announce the appointment of Sue Buchta to the role of Chief Executive Officer of DG Americas, effective 8 January 2025. Sue brings an exceptional breadth of leadership experience and commercial acumen from a career in the consumer products industry. She served as CEO of Wilton Brands, whose products are sold in over 105 countries and previously owned Simplicity Creative Group (sewing patterns, needle arts, and kids' craft products) before its acquisition by CSS Industries, Inc. in 2017. In addition to her tenure at Wilton, Sue held several sales and marketing leadership roles at American Greetings, where she ultimately led Papyrus and Recycled Paper Greetings after their acquisition. Her most recent CEO role was with IndiMade Brands, an e-commerce business with multiple brands. Sue will not be a Board director but will become a member of Design Group's Operating Board.

Stewart Gilliland, Chair, commented:

"We are delighted to welcome John to the Board of Design Group. John's technical expertise will be invaluable in supporting the Company to execute its strategy and continue on our path to growth. The Board and I look forward to working with him from March.

We would also like to thank Claire for her valuable contribution over the past two and half years and we wish her well for the future.

Sue's appointment to DG Americas is welcome news and we are confident that her industry experience, strategic mindset and passion for innovation will provide outstanding leadership to DG Americas to enable it to deliver sustainable profitable growth and a stronger contribution to Design Group."

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

John Gittins was a director of Fairpoint Group plc, and a number of its subsidiaries, between October 2011 and September 2016. In August 2017, administrators were appointed to Fairpoint Group plc and in May 2021 the group was dissolved.

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

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