LBE.L Regulatory News (LBE)

8 May 2007 07:02

Liberty PLC08 May 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 8th May 2007 LIBERTY PLC: APPOINTMENT OF NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE Liberty Plc ("Liberty"), the iconic West End emporium 68% owned by MaryleboneWarwick Balfour Group Plc, today announces that it has appointed Geoffroy de LaBourdonnaye, 50, as its new Chief Executive with effect from 1st July 2007. Geoffroy joins from LVMH where he was President of its Christian Lacroix fashionlabel subsidiary for the past four years. At Christian Lacroix he wasresponsible for the rejuvenation of the brand by upgrading and streamlining thewomenswear lines, developing a range of complementary luxury accessories andthrough the highly successful launch of a new fragrance. Before joining LVMH Geoffroy, who has an MBA from INSEAD, held senior brandmanagement, retail and marketing roles within L'Oreal, Pepsico and Disney. Hespent 13 years at The Walt Disney Company where he developed its emergingmarkets consumer products division as well as being responsible for theturnround of the UK and Ireland subsidiary. Richard Balfour-Lynn, Chairman of Liberty, said: "I am delighted that Geoffroyis joining us. He brings a wealth of international brand management anddevelopment experience to the business at a time when our Liberty of Londonluxury brand is poised to expand dramatically. His proven track record will helpestablish Liberty of London as a major global brand as we aim to develop ourrange both at home and internationally." Geoffroy de La Bourdonnaye commented; "This is a fabulous opportunity to buildon the highly successful launch of the Liberty of London brand and take it tothe next stage of its development. I am excited by the prospect of working for abusiness with the history and reputation for cutting edge design that Libertyhas gained over the last century." Ends. Contact: Richard Balfour-Lynn, Chairman, Liberty. Tel: 020 7706 2121 Baron Phillips, Baron Phillips Associates. Tel: 020 7920 3161 Nicola Marrin, Seymour Pierce. Tel: 020 7107 8000 Notes To Editors: Geoffroy is a native of Lyons. He is a board member of the Research Centre forFashion at Central St Martins College of Arts and Design in London and alsoteaches at IFM, the Paris-based fashion management school. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange