8 Jan 2014 07:00
AIM: SHRE
Share plc
("Share" or "the Group")
Appointment of new Finance Director
and
Confirmation of Board changes
Share plc (AIM: SHRE.LN), which operates The Share Centre Limited, a leading independent retail stockbroker, and Sharefunds Limited, the Group's investment management and fund administration subsidiary, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mike Birkett, ACA, as its new Finance Director. The appointment will be effective from 3 February 2014 and is subject to regulatory approval.
Mike Birkett, 41, was previously Finance Director at Thomas Cook Online, the e-commerce centre of excellence within Thomas Cook Group Plc. Prior to that he worked for eight years with Betfair Group plc, initially as Head of Financial Planning and Analysis and then as Finance Director of Betfair Group plc's financial trading exchange, LMAX.
Mike was part of the team that established LMAX, helping to secure funding from Goldman Sachs and building the business into an award winning exchange technology platform. Mike was also responsible for liaison with the Financial Services Authority as LMAX sought authorisation, as well as for building the systems and controls required in the finance function within a regulated environment.
The Group also confirms that the Board changes announced on 18 June last year have taken effect. From 1 January 2014, Gavin Oldham assumed the role of Executive Chairman and Richard Stone has become Chief Executive. At the same time, Sir Martin Jacomb retired from the Chair and the Board although he remains involved with the Group as Special Advisor,
Richard joined the Company in 2006 as Finance Director, taking on the role of Chief Operating Officer in 2012. He has been closely involved in setting the Group's strategic direction, including the recent decision for the Group to take what it believes to be a market-leading position in transparency regarding charges to customers.
In his role as Executive Chairman, Gavin Oldham will be focusing in particular on the Group's campaigning and media activities.
Richard Stone, Chief Executive, said,
"I am very pleased to welcome Mike Birkett to the Board of Share. Mike has substantial experience of online retail business especially in businesses with high volume transaction processing at their core and where the scalability of systems and the return on marketing spend are critical. He also has experience in financial services and a strong awareness of the importance of protecting client assets and serving the customer. We believe he will be a very valuable addition to the team at Share plc and we look forward to working with him.
As I take up the role of Chief Executive, I am excited by the opportunities ahead for the Group and intend to build on our strong reputation for customer service and serving the interests of personal investors.
In his role as Executive Chairman, Gavin will continue in particular with his public championing of the rights of private investors and remains as committed as ever to the Group's continuing successful growth."
Disclosures required pursuant to paragraph (g) of Schedule 2 of the AIM Rules are as follows:
Michael David Birkett, aged 41 years, currently holds, and has held during the last five years immediately preceding the date of this announcement, the following directorships or partnerships:
Current:
Thomas Cook Online Limited
Previous:
London Multi-Asset Exchange (Holdings) Limited
LMAX Limited
Tradefair Spreads Limited
Tradefair Exchange Limited
Tradefair Holdings Limited
There are no further matters to be disclosed pursuant to paragraph (g) of Schedule 2 of the AIM Rules.
Contacts
Richard Stone - Chief Executive 01296 439 270
Stephanie Reynolds - PR Manager 01296 439 256
Guy Wiehahn 0207 418 8900
Peel Hunt LLP Nominated advisor
Katie Tzouliadis 020 3178 6378
Biddicks Financial PR
Risk Warning
This document is not intended to constitute an offer or agreement to buy or sell investments and does not constitute a personal recommendation. The investments and services referred to in this document may not be suitable for every investor and if in doubt independent financial advice should be sought. No liability is accepted whatsoever for any loss howsoever arising from any information in this document subject to the rules of the Financial Conduct Authority or the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. Share prices, values and income can go down as well as up and investors may get back less than their initial investment. The Share Centre is a member of the London Stock Exchange and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under reference 146768.
Notes for Editors:
1. Share plc is the parent holding company of The Share Centre Limited and Sharefunds Limited and its shares are traded on AIM and also on Asset Match.
2. The Share Centre started trading in 1991 and provides a range of account-based services to enable investors to share in the wealth of the stock market.
3. Retail services include Share Accounts, ISAs, CTF accounts and SIPPs, all with the benefit of investment advice, and dealing in a wide range of investments.
4. Services available to corporate clients include share plan administration and 'white-label' dealing platforms.
5. 'Clean share classes' are units within funds which attract a lower annual management charge and pay no commission payments (often referred to as 'trail commission') to distributors.
6. For more details contact 0800 800 008, or visit www.shareplc.com or www.share.com.