Last checked at 26 Mar 2019 07:00
26 March 2019
On the Beach Group plc
("On the Beach", "OTB" or the "Group")
Directorate Change - Appointment of Chair of the Board
On the Beach Group plc, (LSE: OTB.L), the UK's leading online retailer of beach holidays, is pleased to announce that Richard Pennycook has been appointed as Non-Executive Chair of the Board with effect from 1 April 2019. He will also Chair the Nomination Committee. Richard will succeed David Kelly, who has been Interim Chair of the Board and Interim Chair of the Nomination Committee since 1 December 2018. David will resume his role as Senior Independent Director and continues to Chair the Remuneration Committee.
Richard is Non-Executive Chairman of Howden Joinery Group Plc, a position he has held since 2016 having joined the board as a Non-Executive Director in 2013.
Richard was previously Non-Executive Chairman of The Hut Group from 2012 to 2018, having worked with the fast-growing technology unicorn in an advisory capacity since 2008. He went plural after a 30 year executive career that concluded with his position as CEO of The Co-operative Group, where he served from 2013 to 2017. Prior to The Co-operative Group, Richard held main Board roles at a number of public companies, including Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC, RAC plc, HP Bulmer Holdings plc, Laura Ashley Holdings plc and J D Wetherspoon PLC.
Following Richard's appointment, the Board will continue to review its structure to ensure it has the appropriate breadth and depth of experience while meeting corporate governance best practice.
Save as disclosed herein, there are no further details required to be disclosed pursuant to Listing Rule 9.6.13 in connection with Richard's appointment.
Simon Cooper, CEO of On the Beach said:
"We are delighted to welcome Richard to On the Beach as Chair of the Board. Richard's extensive experience in both private and public retail and consumer businesses will be invaluable, particularly his work with fast-growing online businesses, as we continue to deliver on our strategy in the UK and internationally.
"I would also like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the Board, to thank David Kelly for stepping into the role of Interim Chair in 2018 and we look forward to his continued support and guidance going forward."
Richard Pennycook, incoming Chair of On the Beach, commented:
"I very much look forward to working with Simon and the team at On the Beach. This is an agile and evolving business that has retained its entrepreneurial spirit while disrupting the travel industry to the benefit of consumers. I am pleased to be joining at this exciting time in the Group's journey."
For further information:
On the Beach Group plc Simon Cooper, Chief Executive Officer Paul Meehan, Chief Financial Officer
| via FTI Consulting |
FTI Consulting Jonathon Brill Alex Beagley Fiona Walker Laura Saraby
| Tel: +44 (0)20 3727 1000 |
About On the Beach
With over 20% share of online sales in the short haul beach holiday market, On the Beach is one of the UK's largest online beach holiday retailers. The Company has significant opportunities for growth and a long-term mission to become Europe's leading online retailer of beach holidays. By using its innovative technology, low-cost base and strong customer-value proposition to provide a structural challenge to legacy tour operators and travel agents, it continues its journey to disrupt the online retail of beach holidays. The model is customer-centric, asset light, profitable and cash generative.
www.onthebeachgroupplc.com