Kazera Global Regulatory News (KZG)

16 Aug 2006 07:00

Worthington Nicholls Group plc16 August 2006 Worthington Nicholls Group plc ("Worthington Nicholls" or "the Company") Directorate change Worthington Nicholls Group plc (AIM: WNG), one of the UK's largest independentinstaller of air conditioning, heating, ventilation and chilled water systems,announces the immediate appointment of Tim Hunt as a Non-Executive Director ofthe Company. Mr Hunt will be joining the Company as a Non-Executive Director ahead ofbecoming the Executive Finance Director of the Company on completion of hisnotice period with The John David Group Plc. His primary responsibility as aNon-Executive Director will be to oversee the Company's first audit as a publiccompany. Mr Hunt, 40, qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1991 after training withKPMG in Preston. After having initially worked in the audit department at KPMGfor four years, he joined its corporate finance team in Manchester. In 1996, while still working for KPMG, he advised JD Sports plc ("JD Sports")(now The John David Group Plc) on its admission to the London Stock Exchange'sOfficial List. The following year Mr Hunt left KPMG to join JD Sports as companyaccountant. In 2001, he was promoted to group financial controller. His mostrecent role at JD Sports was as business analyst, a position he held for twoyears. Mr Hunt has been instrumental in JD Sports' negotiations and due diligence forthe acquisitions and subsequent integration of First Sport in 2002, RD Scott in2004 and Allsports in 2005. Mark Worthington, Chief Executive, said: "Worthington Nicholls is growing quickly, both organically and through ourrecent acquisition of Project Air. Tim's company systems and due diligenceexperience, his budgeting and integration skills and his ability to identify andnegotiate on potential acquisitions will be of great value as the Companycontinues to expand. We are delighted to welcome him on board." Director's full name Timothy James HuntDirector's age 40Current Directorships NoneFormer Directorships None There are no further disclosures required to be made in respect of Mr TimothyJames Hunt with regard to paragraph (g) of Schedule 2 of the AIM Rules. Enquiries: Worthington Nicholls 0870 609 1829 Mark Worthington, Chief ExecutiveDavid Levis, Corporate Director Gresham PR Ltd 020 7404 9000 Neil BoomTanya Feness Corporate Synergy 020 7448 4400 Rhod CruwysRomil Patel About Worthington Nicholls Group plc Worthington Nicholls operates as principal contractor for delivery of end to endsolutions in the air conditioning market. Its blue-chip clients operate in a number of different market sectors andinclude Hilton Hotels, Holiday Inn Hotels, Debenhams, Boots the Chemist, Arcadiaand McDonald's. The business was established in 1973 by Peter Worthington and has grown to beone of the dominant players in the UK Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning("HVAC") market, which is currently estimated to be worth approximately £2billion per annum. Led by Mark Worthington, the Company repositioned itself in 2003 as a supportservices group, moving away from the subcontractor business model common acrossthe HVAC industry. The Company now offers a full project management capability,which includes survey, design and specification, through installation,commissioning and ongoing service and maintenance. Worthington Nicholls operates from its head office in Manchester and regionaloffices in Bedford, Swindon and Edinburgh, and employs approximately 130 people. In June 2006, the Company acquired the entire issued equity of Project AirLimited, a specialist installer of air conditioning systems to the retailsector. Its customers include well-known high street retailers, such as Phones4 U, Hamleys, The Bear Factory, and TM Lewin. Project Air is based in Rugeley,Staffordshire. The business was established in 1992 and today has a total of 23staff including 13 engineers. Worthington Nicholls floated on AIM on 12 June 2006 with a placing price of 50 pence per share. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange