Vela Technologies Regulatory News (VELA)

26 Jan 2005 07:00

Deal Group Media PLC26 January 2005 Press Release 26 January 2005 Deal Group Media plc Appointment of Non-Executive Chairman and Finance Director Deal Group Media plc, the full service online marketing group, announces theappointments of Lord Stone of Blackheath and Andrew Dickson to the Board asNon-Executive Chairman and Finance Director respectively with immediate effect. Lord Stone of Blackheath was raised to the peerage as Baron Stone of Blackheathin 1997. He joined Marks and Spencer plc as a trainee in 1966 and retired hisposition as joint managing director of the company in 1999. He is currently adirector of several non-government organisations, a retail company and isinvolved in several charities. He also chairs the charity DIPEx that helpspatients gain information on their condition and their options. David Lees is stepping down as Non-Executive Chairman, but will remain on theBoard as a Non-Executive Director. Andrew Dickson was previously finance director of the Ministry of Sound group ofcompanies, which he joined as group chief accountant in 2000. In his role asfinance director, he prepared and executed a strategy for a turnaround of thecompany from a £12.6 million loss in 2002 to a £3.2 million profit in 2003. Hewas instrumental in restructuring the business from 38 companies to 4 companies,refinancing a 3i investment with a distribution to shareholders and negotiatinga £6 million long-term loan from Barclays Bank. Andrew Dickson started his career as a trainee accountant at Coopers & Lybrandin 1995. In 1999 he moved to become a financial controller at PA Consulting.In 2000 he joined Invaluable.com, the antique collectors' website, where hesupported the finance director and IPO team for an impending float. Adrian Moss, Chief Executive Officer of Deal Group Media plc, said: "We areextremely pleased to welcome Lord Stone of Blackheath and Andrew Dickson to theBoard. Lord Stone's unparalleled knowledge of the retail industry will beinstrumental to the business going forward as online retailing continues togrow. Andrew has the right mix of growth company experience combined with astrong record of restructuring businesses and internal processes. Hisexperience at Ministry of Sound demonstrates his ability to drive businessesforward and create shareholder value." Lord Stone of Blackheath added: "Online advertising and retailing is growing ata considerable rate. This is a very exciting time to be joining Deal GroupMedia, the UK's largest independent online advertising group. They are wellpositioned to take advantage of this market and I look forward to being part ofsuch a talented team and their continued success." Lord Stone of Blackheath, previously Andrew Zelig Stone, aged 62, is and hasbeen a director of the following companies and organisations during the pastfive years: Current Directorships Directorships held in the past five yearsN Brown Group plc Ted Baker plcDIPEx Brainboost Limited Science Media Centre BoardOverseas Development Institute Lord Stone of Blackheath is a trustee or a patron of the followingorganisations: Trustee of the Israel Diaspora TrustTrustee of the Maimomedes FoundationTrustee of the Olive Tree ProjectPatron, OrphaidsPatron of LEAD Nepal - Leadership, Education, Action and Development for thefuture of Nepalese YouthPatron of the Interalia Institute of Arts and SciencePatron of The Jewish Chernobyl Children's CharityPatron, New Israel FundPatron of the Jewish Association of Business EthicsPatron, The Forgiveness Project Andrew Christopher Dickson ACA, aged 33, has been a director of the followingcompanies during the past five years: Ministry of Sound Holdings LtdMinistry of Sound Recordings LtdMinistry of Sound LtdMinistry of Sound Digital Ltd The following companies where Andrew Dickson was a director were put intoliquidation as part of the Ministry of Sound group restructuring: Relentless Records Ltd13 AMP LtdIn-house Recordings Ltd23/7 Recordings LtdMinistry Magazine LimitedMinistry of Sound Music Publishing LtdMinistry of Sound Promotions LtdMinistry of Sound Radio LtdMinistry of Sound Management Ltd The following company where Andrew Dickson was a director is currently beingdissolved as part of the Ministry of Sound group restructuring: Aronrace Limited There is no other information that falls to be disclosed under Schedule 2paragraph (f) of the AIM Rules. For further information, please contact:Abchurch CommunicationsAriane Comstive Tel: +44 (0) 20 7398 7700ariane.comstive@abchurch-group.com www.abchurch-group.com Durlacher LimitedRichard Swindells Tel: +44 (0) 20 7459 3600 - Ends - This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange