Safestore Regulatory News (SAFE)

29 Feb 2008 07:01

Safestore Holdings plc29 February 2008 Safestore Holdings plc ("Safestore" or the "Company") Board Changes The Board of Safestore, the largest self storage retailer in the UK and Paris,announces that Richard Grainger will be appointed as Chairman in succession toJohn von Spreckelsen, who is seeking to reduce his commitments for personalreasons and has stated his intention of retiring from the Board with effect fromthe conclusion of the Company's Annual General Meeting on 27 March 2008. John von Spreckelsen (65) became Chairman of Safestore in October 2004. RichardGrainger (47) was appointed to the Board as a Non-Executive Director last year. Safestore's Chief Executive, Steve Williams, said: "I would like to thank John for his considerable contribution over the past fouryears. He is handing over to Richard almost exactly a year after our flotation,a year in which we have grown our portfolio of stores and earnings per share. "I am delighted that Richard is to become our new Chairman. He has worked in theCity for more than 20 years and brings with him a wealth of experience. Richardled the Close Brothers Retail and Leisure team before taking on the role ofChief Executive of Corporate Finance in 2001 and became Executive Vice Chairmanin 2007. He has been a valuable member of the Board over the past year." Safestore has initiated a search for an additional independent Non-ExecutiveDirector. END For further information, please contact: Cardew Group T: 020 7930 0777Nadja Vetter / Anthony Cardew Notes to editors Richard Grainger, 47, joined the Board on 1 February 2007 as a Non-ExecutiveDirector. After graduating from Oxford University, Mr Grainger qualified as achartered accountant at Pricewaterhouse. He started at Hill Samuel Bank Limitedin 1987 and subsequently joined Close Brothers Corporate Finance Limited(''CBCF'') in 1996. In 2001, Mr Grainger was appointed Chief Executive of CBCFhaving previously run the Leisure and Retail team and founded Close BrothersCorporate Finance's Corporate Restructuring Group. Mr Grainger is Executive ViceChairman of CBCF and is a member of the Management Board of Close Brothers Groupplc. Mr Grainger is an Associated Member of the Institute of CharteredAccountants in England and Wales. John von Spreckelsen, 65, joined the Board in October 2004 as Chairman and aNon-Executive Director. Mr von Spreckelsen also currently holds the Chairmanshipat Thorntons Plc and is a Non-Executive Director of MEP Mayflower (Holdings)Limited. Previously, Mr von Spreckelsen was the Chief Executive Officer ofBudgens plc and served as the Chairman of Somerfield plc. Mr Spreckelsen beganhis career at Commerzbank Germany and Bank of America International, beforebecoming the European Finance Director of Bowater Corporation. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange