Rentokil Initial Regulatory News (RTO)

28 Feb 2008 07:02

Rentokil Initial PLC28 February 2008 28 February 2008 Rentokil Initial plc: Board Announcement Rentokil Initial today announces that after eleven years as a director andalmost four years as chairman, Brian McGowan has decided to step down from theboard no later than this year's AGM on 14 May 2008. A process has alreadystarted to find a new chairman with the right credentials. Doug Flynn, chief executive of Rentokil Initial, said: "Brian's decisive action and strong leadership have been of immense value to theboard, the company and its shareholders over the last eleven years. He has neverbeen slow to take difficult decisions, demonstrated most notably by hiswillingness to step up to the mark and take on the role of executive chairman in2004. More recently, as non-executive chairman, my board colleagues and I havevalued his advice and experience through what has been a challenging period. Wewill all miss him." Brian McGowan, chairman, Rentokil Initial, said: "Rentokil Initial is a world class business with strong brands and powerfulcapabilities. The last few years have been challenging but Doug and the team cannow point to a demonstrable operational turnaround in the vast majority of thegroup's businesses. I have enjoyed my time with the group but have decided thatthe time has come for the board to look for a new chairman to help guideRentokil Initial through the next stage in its development." Media enquiries: Malcolm Padley Rentokil Initial plc 07788 978199 Kate Holgate/Tom Williams Brunswick Group 020 7404 5959 Notes for Editors: Brian McGowan Brian McGowan was appointed a non-executive director of Rentokil Initial inOctober 1996. He was appointed non-executive chairman in May 2004 and served asexecutive chairman of the board between July 2004 and February 2005. Brian isalso chairman of UMECO plc and Catalyst Corporate Finance LLP. He previouslyserved as chief executive of Williams plc and chairman of House of Fraser Plc. Rentokil Initial Rentokil Initial is one of the largest business services companies in the world,operating in all the major economies of Europe, North America, Asia Pacific andAfrica. The company provides a wide range of support services in over 49countries and employs over 79,000 people. Services include textiles and washroomservices, pest control, interior plants and artwork, parcels delivery andfacilities services. For further information visit: www.rentokil-initial.com This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange