Keywords Studios Plc Regulatory News (KWS)

19 January 2023

Keywords Studios plc ("Keywords Studios", "Keywords", the "Group")

Appointment of Independent Non-Executive Director and Chair Designate

Keywords Studios, the international technical and creative services provider to the global video games industry, is pleased to announce the appointment of Donald (Don) Robert to its Board as independent Non-Executive Director and Chair Designate, with effect from 1 February 2023. It is intended that Don will become Chair at Keywords' Annual General Meeting on 26 May 2023 as part of the planned succession for Ross Graham.

Don brings a strong track record of building and leading international businesses, including through acquisitions, and a deep understanding of technology, data and analytics. He was CEO of Experian plc, the global information and analytics group, for 9 years, during which time he more than doubled operating profits and scaled the business into a global market leader. He subsequently became Chair of Experian between 2014-2019.

Don currently serves as Chair of the London Stock Exchange Group ("LSEG"), where he has overseen the transformation of LSEG into a leading global financial markets infrastructure business. He is also involved in several private technology focused businesses.

Charlotta Ginman, Senior Independent Director of Keywords Studios commented:

"We are delighted to welcome someone of Don's calibre to the Board, and his appointment as Chair Designate demonstrates our ambitions for the business. Throughout our comprehensive search process Don stood out due to his experience of growing global businesses, both organically and through acquisitions, his deep knowledge of the technology landscape and his strong leadership. His extensive experience will complement and enhance the skills of the existing Board and leadership team as we look to capitalise on the unique opportunities ahead of us in the video games industry and beyond.

Don's appointment will enable a smooth transition ahead of Ross' retirement this year. On behalf of the Keywords' Board and wider management team, I would like to thank Ross for the outstanding contribution he has made to Keywords and his dedication in staying on to ensure a smooth CEO transition following Bertrand's appointment. He has guided the Group successfully through a period of extraordinary growth and value creation, helping to establish it as the global market leader in providing services to the video games industry. We wish him well for the future."

Don Robert commented:

"I am excited by the opportunity to join Keywords and play my role in supporting its strong leadership team in realising their growth ambitions as the Group looks to build on its current market leading position. I am impressed by the enviable technology-enabled platform they have built, which has become a critical part of the fast-growing and dynamic video games market. The Group has set out a clear strategy for future growth and I look forward to contributing to this as it continues to scale its platform and cement its position as the clear partner of choice across the interactive content creation industry."

Other than the details listed below, there is no further information required to be disclosed pursuant to paragraph (g) of Schedule 2 of the AIM Rules for Companies, in relation to Don Robert's appointment to the board.

Don, aged 63, is or has been a director or partner of the following companies or partnerships in the five years preceding his appointment to Keywords as follows:

Current:

London Stock Exchange Group plc

Corten Capital

Validis UK Limited

Validis Group Holdings Limited

Flexcharge

Last 5 years:

London Stock Exchange plc

Court of Directors, Bank of England

Validis Holdings Limited

Compass Group plc

Albemarle Ship Investments LLP

Corten Management UK Limited

Experian plc

Experian Finance plc

Experian Holdings Limited

Experian Holdings Ireland Limited

Experian Holdings, Inc.

Achilles Holdco Limited

Achilles Group Ltd

First Advantage Corp

Education and Employers Taskforce

For further information, please contact:

This Announcement contains inside information for the purposes of the market abuse regulation (EU No. 596/2014) as it forms part of United Kingdom domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("UK MAR"). 

About Keywords Studios (www.keywordsstudios.com)

Keywords Studios is an international technical and creative services provider to the global video games industry. Established in 1998, and now with over 70 facilities in 26 countries strategically located in Asia, Australia, the Americas, and Europe, it provides services across the entire content development life cycle through its Create, Globalise and Engage service lines to a blue-chip client base of over 950 clients across the globe.

Keywords Studios has a strong market position, providing services to 23 of the top 25 most prominent games companies. Across the games and entertainment industry, clients include Activision Blizzard, Bandai Namco, Bethesda, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Konami, Microsoft, Netflix, Riot Games, Square Enix, Supercell, TakeTwo, Tencent and Ubisoft. Recent titles worked on include Anthem, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Valorant, League of Legends, Fortnite, Clash Royale and Doom Eternal. Keywords Studios is listed on AIM, the London Stock Exchange regulated market (KWS.L).